Chart of the Week

Ramping up SAF through standalone HEFA facilities

15 November 2024

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production needs to grow considerably for aviation to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, given its role as the key enabler.

Policy support is vital to make net zero transition a success

8 November 2024

The cost of the transition to airlines can be estimated as the additional cost of using SAF (and other levers), over and above the cost of fossil-based jet fuel. 

Transition costs and relative magnitudes

1 November 2024

IATA estimates total transition cost, defined as the additional costs for the transition levers that airlines could face over and above the traditional fuel bill, at about USD 4.7 trillion over 2024-2050 (Net Zero CO2 Transition Finance Roadmap). 

SAF progress slowed by insufficient public funding

25 October 2024

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is crucial for aviation’s energy transition, yet its production accounts for less than 1% of aviation’s fuel needs in 2024.

Regional fuel cost variation affects competitiveness

18 October 2024

The into-wing price is the all-inclusive cost an airline pays for fuel delivery to its aircraft. This cost varies significantly across regions.

Rising global air cargo yield despite record capacity

11 October 2024

The global air cargo yield grew by 12% year-on-year (YoY) in August (the most recent data available), the highest annual increase in over two years.

Policies are critical for aviation’s energy transition 

4 October 2024

The main challenge for the air transport industry's transition to net-zero CO2 emissions —and the global energy transition—is the necessity to replace, progressively, petroleum-based fuels with alternative cleaner energies, including SAF, hydrogen, and renewable electricity.

The Financial Impact of the Net Zero Transition

27 September 2024

IATA’s new Finance Roadmap provides a detailed assessment of the financial needs of air transport’s decarbonization journey.

A dramatic drop in oil prices is good for growth

20 September 2024

The price of Brent crude oil is currently around USD 72/barrel, a 21% decline from the highs this year of USD 91/barrel and the lowest price since the end of 2021.

Dynamic route churn signals evolving demand patterns

13 September 2024

The attention and responsiveness of airlines to evolving consumer demands and needs is clearly  represented by the churn in airline routes. 

Narrowbodies are back to service, and regionals not

6 September 2024

The number of grounded aircraft represented 14% of the global fleet in August 2024.

Central Asia leads the growth in traffic in Asia

30 August 2024

Air traffic growth is driven by the Asia region, with PR China catching up after lifting covid restrictions.

How much CO2 does your flight emit?

23 August 2024

There are significant discrepancies in the flight emissions data available to passengers, depending on the emissions calculator used by the flight booking platform.

Credit ratings improve but are still below 2019 levels

16 August 2024

The airline industry has recovered gradually in terms of credit ratings since the financial turbulence experienced during the covid pandemic.

Aviation’s decarbonization requires more CORSIA credits

9 August 2024

Governments have a role in enabling the market for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)’s carbon credits (known as CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units – “EEUs”) and help the aviation industry on their decarbonization journey.

Growth in renewable energy offers insights for air transport 

2 August 2024

How policy makers created renewable energy markets in the past provides insights for aviation’s energy transition and helps inform the efforts to develop the still only nascent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market.

The Resurgence of Premium-Class Travel

26 July 2024

Business and first-class (premium) passengers constitute a mere 3% of all travelers, yet they play a pivotal role in airlines’ revenue streams.

Air connectivity rankings reflect long and short-run factors

19 July 2024

Global air connectivity rankings have shifted noticeably over the past decade, influenced by both long-run trends and short-run developments. 

Air travelers’ views on SAF highlight a range of issues

12 July 2024

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a key lever in the airline industry’s decarbonization efforts, however, air passengers’ views on SAF highlight a number of challenges that lie ahead.

The dominance of narrowbody jets in airline operations

5 July 2024

Airlines use a variety of aircraft types depending on their business model and markets.

Olympics boost French international air travel temporarily

28 June 2024

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris are set to deliver a sizeable, but short-lived boost to French international air travel.

A good start to airlines’ profits in 2024

21 June 2024

Airlines’ profitability stabilized in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, compared to 2023.

All regions to see higher profits in 2024

14 June 2024

All regions became profitable in 2023, generating a net profit totaling USD 27.4 billion. In 2024, profits look set to rise to USD 30.5 billion for the industry. 

Airline revenue is poised to approach USD 1 trillion

7 June 2024

The airline industry’s revenue is projected to reach USD 996 billion in 2024, marking a 10% year-on-year (YoY) growth rate and reaching the highest nominal value in aviation history—just shy of the evocative threshold of USD 1 trillion.

A snapshot of aviation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

31 May 2024

Ahead of IATA’s 80th AGM in Dubai, today’s chart provides a snapshot of aviation in the United Arab Emirates.

Lack of harmonized rules hampers plastic replacement

24 May 2024

Plastic pollution is a key challenge of our times. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 430 million metric tons of plastic is produced each year, with over one-third being discarded after only one use.

Premium traffic and revenue are back on track

17 May 2024

Premium class traffic, which comprises both Business and First class, contributed to about 20% of the total passenger revenues on average over the 2011 to 2019 period while only representing 7% of total revenue passenger-kilometers (RPK).

Slow aircraft deliveries delay renewal benefits to airlines 

10 May 2024

The pace at which new aircraft are delivered has slowed dramatically, firstly during the Covid-19 pandemic and since then, because of ongoing supply chain challenges.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels Pathways and Product Slate

3 May 2024

Aviation Net-zero CO2 2050 aspirations need various measures, including fleet renewal, operational efficiency, and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Non-traditional markets lead in the Americas region

26 April 2024

In the Americas, most markets have recovered or surpassed the 2019 levels in terms of both the number of passengers carried and the available seat capacity in 2023.

Net-zero transition: multiple levers in different combinations

19 April 2024

IATA and partners published the first comprehensive review that compares 14 leading net zero CO2 transition roadmaps for aviation.

More aircraft are leased than owned by airlines globally

12 April 2024

Airlines have a choice between buying their aircraft or leasing them. Leasing has emerged as the preferred option, rising from roughly 10% of the total fleet in the 1970s to 58% at the end of 2023.

Mixed outcomes, positive outlook for Middle East & Africa 

5 April 2024

Load factors in the Middle East and Africa region improved significantly in 2023, as the number of origin-destination passengers reached 105% of 2019 levels, while the number of available seats reached 101%.