Global aviation soars to new heights in 2024: IATA

Dhaka: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that global air traffic reached record levels in 2024, with both passenger and cargo operations surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks.

According to the newly released World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) 2024 report, over 116.9 million passengers traveled in premium class (First and Business), representing a 6 percent share of total international passengers. Premium travel rose by 11.8 percent, slightly outpacing the 11.5 percent growth in economy class.

“The 2024 numbers are not just strong—they’re historic,” said Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA. “It’s clear that the desire to travel remains as strong as ever, with people choosing both economy and premium options in record numbers.”

The report, which draws on data from over 240 international airlines, also highlights a sharp rebound in cargo activity, improvements in fleet utilization, and detailed regional performance figures.

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