How is the passenger load factor in commercial aviation calculated?

The passenger load factor is a key performance metric in commercial aviation used to assess how efficiently an airline fills its available seating capacity and generates revenue. The calculation involves comparing the revenue passenger miles (RPM) to the available seat miles (ASM).

Revenue passenger miles represent the total number of miles flown by paying passengers, while available seat miles indicate the total seat capacity available for sale, multiplied by the number of miles flown. The formula for calculating the load factor is:

Load Factor = (Revenue Passenger Miles / Available Seat Miles) x 100

This calculation provides insight into how well an airline is utilizing its available capacity. A higher load factor indicates better performance in filling seats, which typically correlates with increased revenue and operational efficiency.

The other choices do not accurately reflect how the passenger load factor is determined. While assessing ticket sales might seem relevant, it does not directly translate into the load factor calculation as it lacks the necessary context of miles flown or available seats. Consequently, the correct option clearly highlights the relationship between revenue passenger miles and available seat miles, which is fundamental to understanding operational performance in commercial airlines.