SINGAPORE, 3 November 2025: Global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) improved 3.6% during September, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports in its latest data released on Friday.
Compared with data from September 2024, total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 3.7% year-on-year.
The September load factor was 83.4% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).
International demand rose 5.1%. Capacity was up 5.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.6% (-0.1 ppt).
Domestic demand increased 0.9% compared to September 2024. Capacity was up 1.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.0% (-0.1 ppt).
“Solid international demand drove 90% of September’s 3.6% overall growth. Importantly, the capacity expansion slightly outpaced demand growth at 3.7%. Load factors, nonetheless, remained very strong at 83.4%. With November flight schedules indicating a 3% expansion on the previous year, airlines are gearing up for continued growth into the year-end holiday season. This is despite the severe constraints of unresolved supply chain issues,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.
Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets
International RPK growth reached 5.1% in September year-on-year, and growth was seen in all regions. The only region to show a significant improvement in load factor was the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 7.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.3% (+1.0 ppt compared to September 2024). Intra-Asia travel was the strongest driver of growth with a 9.4% increase, led primarily by traffic from China and Japan.
European carriers had a 4.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6% (-0.3 ppt compared to September 2024).
North American carriers saw a 2.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.9% (-1.5 ppt compared to September 2024). The North America-Asia corridor showed weak growth of just 0.9%. By contrast, North America-South America traffic bounced back from its August decline, with growth of 1.1%.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 6.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 81.9% (unchanged compared to September 2024).
Latin American airlines saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 6.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.3% (-1.2 ppt compared to September 2024).
African airlines saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.7% (+0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).
For the full read, visit: Air Passenger Market Analysis – September 2025 – IATA.
(Source: IATA)
