Welcome back! This week we take look at a new report on single use plastics products, zoom in on Africa and the Middle East and go over the data as the strong start to 2024 continued in February. Let’s get to it.

New data for February 2024 global air cargo markets show continuing strong annual growth in demand.

Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 11.9% compared to February 2023 levels (12.4% for international operations).

This is the third consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year demand growth.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General:

“February’s demand growth of 11.9% far outpaced the 0.9% expansion in cross-border trade. This strong start for 2024 could see demand surpass the exceptionally high levels of early 2022. It also shows air cargo’s strong resilience in the face of continuing political and economic uncertainties.”

Passenger Demand Up 21.5% in February

The strong start to 2024 continued in February.

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), was up 21.5% compared to February 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 18.7% year-on-year. The February load factor was 80.6% (+1.9ppt compared to February 2023).

International demandrose 26.3% compared to February 2023; capacity was up 25.5% year-on-year and the load factor improved to 79.3% (+0.5ppt on February 2023).

Domestic demandrose 15.0% compared to February 2023; capacity was up 9.4% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6% (+4.0ppt compared to February 2023).