IATA - International Air Transport Association

09/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2025 06:42

Passenger Demand Grows 4.6% in August

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights:

  • Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year. The August load factor was 86.0% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month.
  • International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).
  • Domestic demand increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).

"August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high. Moreover, planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%. Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend shows no signs of abating, as October schedules are showing airlines planning 3.4% more capacity. Airlines are doing their best to meet travel demand by maximizing efficiency, making it even more critical for the aerospace manufacturing sector to sort out its supply chain challenges," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.

Air Passenger Market in Detail

AUGUST 2025 (% year-on-year) World Share​1 RPK ASK PLF(%-PT)​2 PLF(Level)​3
Total Market 100% 4.6% 4.5% 0.1% 86.0%
Africa 2.2% 8.9% 6.6% 1.7% 80.2%
Asia Pacific 33.5% 6.1% 5.5% 0.5% 85.9%
Europe 26.7% 4.2% 4.2% -0.1% 87.9%
Latin America and Caribbean 5.3% 7.5% 5.9% 1.3% 85.0%
Middle East 9.4% 8.4% 7.0% 1.1% 83.8%
North America 22.9% 0.5% 1.6% -1.0% 85.6%

1) % of industry RPK in 2024 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level

Regional Breakdown - International Passenger Markets

International RPK growth reached 6.6% in August year-on-year, and load factor reached a historic high. International traffic was by far the dominant driver of growth, accounting for 87% of the net increase in global RPK in August.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 9.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.1% (+0.2 ppt compared to August 2024). Growth was driven by strong demand from China and Japan (+11.8% and +12% respectively).

European carriers had a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 5.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was flat (0.0 ppt compared to August 2024).

North American carriers saw a 1.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.5% (-0.6 ppt compared to August 2024). This was the fourth consecutive month of YoY declines in international PLF for North America.

Middle Eastern carriers saw an 8.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity rose by 6.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (+1.0 ppt compared to August 2024).

Latin American airlines saw a 9.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 9.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.7% (-0.2 ppt compared to August 2024).

African airlines saw a 7.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 79.7% (+1.3 ppt compared to August 2024).

Domestic Passenger Markets

Domestic RPK rose 1.5% over August 2024 and contributed only 13% of the global increase in August RPK, down from 25% a year ago. US domestic load factor fell YoY for the eighth consecutive month. The sharp expansion in Brazil was helped by government efforts to promote tourism.

AUGUST 2025 (% year-on-year) World Share​1 RPK ASK PLF(%-PT)​2 PLF(LEVEL)​3
Domestic 38.2% 1.5% 1.3% 0.1% 86.3%
Domestic Australia 0.8% 0.4% 3.3% -2.4% 83.4%
Domestic Brazil 1.1% 12.7% 8.1% 3.4% 85.1%
Domestic China P.R. 11.3% 3.4% 3.1% 0.3% 85.5%
Domestic India 1.7% 0.4% -0.2% 0.5% 83.2%
Domestic Japan 1.0% 6.0% 3.1% 2.4% 89.6%
Domestic US 14.4% -0.2% 1.1% -1.1% 84.2%

1) % of industry RPK in 2024 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level

Note: the six domestic passenger markets for which individual data are available account for approximately 30.2% of global total RPKs and 79.1% of total domestic RPKs

> View the August 2025 Air Passenger Market Analysis (pdf)

For more information, please contact:Corporate CommunicationsTel: +41 22 770 2967Email: [email protected]

Notes for Editors:

  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic.
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  • All figures are provisional and represent total reporting at time of publication plus estimates for missing data. Historic figures are subject to revision.
  • Domestic RPKs accounted for about 38.2% of the total market in 2024. The six domestic markets in this report account for 30.2% of global RPKs.
  • Explanation of measurement terms:
    • RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometers measures actual passenger traffic
    • ASK: Available Seat Kilometers measures available passenger capacity
    • PLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used.
  • IATA statistics cover international and domestic scheduled air traffic for IATA member and non-member airlines.
  • Total passenger traffic market shares by region of carriers for 2024 in terms of RPK are: Asia-Pacific 33.5%, Europe 26.7%, North America 22.9%, Middle East 9.4%, Latin America 5.3%, and Africa 2.2%.
IATA - International Air Transport Association published this content on September 30, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 30, 2025 at 12:42 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]