African airlines experienced an 11.9% increase in passenger demand in September 2024 compared to the previous year, achieving a load factor of 76.0%.

This load factor, indicating the proportion of available seating capacity filled by paying passengers, reflects efficient seat utilization.

The demand increase, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), demonstrates a strong recovery in Africa’s aviation sector, while capacity, represented by Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), rose by 6.6%. 

This data, as reported in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) latest global passenger demand update, highlights Africa’s strengthening position in global aviation.

“African airlines saw an 11.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 6.6% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 76.0% (+3.6ppt compared to September 2023),” the report read in part.

The IATA report highlighted a broader global demand increase of 7.1% year-on-year for September 2024, with the average load factor across all regions reaching 83.6%, up 1.0 percentage points from the prior year.

Africa’s demand growth positioned it as one of the fastest-recovering regions, highlighting the continent’s growing competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.

More Insights 

Across other global regions, performance varied. Asia-Pacific airlines led the global recovery, achieving an 18.5% rise in passenger demand, supported by a 17.7% capacity increase and an 82.6% load factor, reflecting high demand and efficient seating utilization.

• European carriers, close behind, recorded a 7.6% demand increase and posted the highest load factor at 85.9%, indicating strong operational efficiency.

• Middle Eastern airlines saw moderate growth, with a 4.4% increase in demand and an 81.4% load factor, indicating steady recovery within the region.

• In North America, demand grew more modestly by 0.5%, with the load factor dipping to 84.4%, suggesting restrained passenger growth relative to capacity.

• Latin American airlines registered a notable 12.4% increase in demand, though the load factor dropped slightly to 84.3%, as capacity expansion slightly outpaced passenger growth.

• Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasized the benefits and challenges brought on by this surge in global travel demand.

• He highlighted that each flight contributes significantly to economic growth by generating jobs and enhancing trade, though he warned of a potential “capacity crunch” that may limit these gains unless infrastructure demands are addressed.

• Walsh stressed the need for governments to ensure sufficient infrastructure, especially in airports and air traffic management, to sustain growth within the aviation industry.

IATA’s data points to the competitive gains made by African airlines, with strong growth in passenger demand and improved seat occupancy positioning the continent well within the broader recovery of the global aviation landscape.  By Caleb Obiowo, Nairametrics

The U.S. was not among the more than 100 United Nations member states that signed a new letter of support for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres after Israel’s foreign minister declared him “persona non grata” and barred him from entering the country.

The letter, spearheaded by Chile, said Israel’s attack on Guterres would “undermine the United Nations’ ability to carry out its mandate, which includes mediating conflicts and providing humanitarian support.”

“In the Middle East, this could further delay an end to all hostilities and the establishment of a credible path towards the two-state solution, with the state of Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace and security,” the letter continues. “We reaffirm our full support and confidence in the secretary-general and his work.”

Signatories to the letter include France, China, Lebanon, Iran, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Brazil, and the African Union. Notably absent from the list were nations that have supplied Israel with arms during its yearlong assault on Gaza, including the U.S., Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada. 

Earlier this month, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared Guterres banned from entering Israel, falsely accusing the U.N. chief of failing to condemn Iran’s ballistic missile barrage and the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Katz reiterated his position on Sunday, writing on social media that “Guterres can continue seeking support from U.N. member states, but the decision will not change.”| 

Guterres, a persistent advocate of a cease-fire agreement in the region and critic of the United States’ failure to exert pressure on its ally, did not respond directly to the Israeli foreign minister’s statement, but a spokesperson for the U.N. chief called it “one more attack on the United Nations staff that we’ve seen from the government of Israel.”

The letter of support for Guterres came after Israeli forces repeatedly fired on U.N. peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, injuring at least four soldiers. Guterres called the attacks “intolerable.”

On Saturday, dozens of nations that contribute troops to the U.N. Interim Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a joint statement condemning “recent attacks on the UNIFIL peacekeepers” and calling for an international investigation of the Israeli attack last week.

“We urge the parties to the conflict to respect UNIFIL’s presence, which entails the obligation to guarantee the safety and security of its personnel at all times, so that they can continue to implement its mandate and continue their work of mediation and support for peace and stability in Lebanon and the entire region,” the statement added.

The U.S. does not contribute troops to UNIFIL. In a statement on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Biden administration is “deeply concerned about reports that Israeli forces fired on positions and a tower used by UNIFIL
peacekeepers in Lebanon.”

Jameel Jaffer, director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, wrote in response, “I don’t believe anymore that the Biden administration is ‘concerned’ about any of this — the killing of thousands of civilians, the targeting of journalists and aid workers and peacekeepers.”

“What actual evidence is there of this supposed concern?” he asked. By By Jake Johnson , Common Dreams,  Truthout