IATA: Global Air Passenger Demand Up 6.6% in October


   
Barani Krishnan
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) - Global air passenger demand rose year-on-year in 
October amid capacity increases by airlines, latest data from the International 
Air Traffic Association (IATA) shows, against an indicated drop in U.S. jet 
fuel consumption.

   International air travel demand rose 8.5% in October while domestic demand 
grew 3.4%, both year-on-year, resulting in a net gain of 6.6% in global 
passenger demand, IATA said in the data released November 28.

   "Of particular note is the 4.5% international traffic growth for carriers 
based in North America which comes after several months of basically flat 
performance," Willie Walsh, IATA's director general said in remarks 
accompanying the data.

   U.S. airlines' fuel usage was, meanwhile, indicated to be 7.5% lower 
year-on-year, with the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reporting jet 
fuel inventories at 41.7 million bbl at end-October this year versus 38.8 
million bbl at end-October last year.

   While EIA data also showed implied jet fuel demand to be 3% higher between 
September and October this year, based on products supplied to market, it was 
still markedly lower than the 8.8% growth between September and October last 
year.

   Analysts said the difference between high passenger demand and lower implied 
jet fuel consumption growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of 
newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft in commercial fleets that allow higher 
loads amid less fuel burning.

   Walsh said the higher air travel trend was expected to continue through the 
year, with seat capacity on international airlines scheduled to expand 3.6% in 
November and 4.7% in December, compared with the same months of 2024.




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