African airlines made significant strides in 2024, achieving a record-high passenger load factor of 74.5%, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This marked a 2.5 percentage point increase compared to the previous year, driven by a 13.2% rise in annual traffic and a 9.5% expansion in capacity. Despite this progress, Africa’s load factor remained the lowest among all regions globally, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities for growth in the continent’s aviation sector. The strong demand for air travel in Africa underscores the region’s recovery and potential, even as it continues to play catch-up with more mature markets.
Globally, the airline industry experienced a banner year in 2024, with passenger traffic rising 10.4% compared to 2023 and capacity increasing by 8.7%. The worldwide load factor reached a record 83.5%, highlighting the industry’s efficiency in meeting surging demand. African airlines contributed to this growth, with December 2024 traffic rising 12.4% year-on-year, outpacing the global average increase of 8.6%. However, the continent’s load factor of 74.5% lagged behind other regions, such as Latin America (84.8%) and Europe (84.1%), indicating room for further optimization and investment in Africa’s aviation infrastructure.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasized the importance of aviation growth for economic development, job creation, and trade, particularly in regions like Africa. While the record load factor is a positive sign, Walsh highlighted the need for continued efforts to address challenges such as safety, sustainability, and capacity constraints. African airlines, along with their global counterparts, are also grappling with the industry’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. With Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) accounting for less than 0.5% of global fuel needs in 2024, governments and industry stakeholders must collaborate to scale up renewable energy production and reduce costs. As demand for air travel continues to grow, Africa’s aviation sector has the potential to play an increasingly vital role in connecting people and driving economic prosperity across the continent.
