The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2025 global passenger demand showing that total demand was up 4.0 percent compared to July 2024 as a result of summer travels.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.4 percent year-on-year. The July load factor was 85.5 percent (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).
International demand rose 5.3 percent compared to July 2024. Capacity was up 5.8 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6 percent (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).
Domestic demand increased 1.9 percent compared to July 2024. Capacity was up 2.4 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 85.2 percent (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).
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“It’s been a good northern summer season for airlines. Momentum has grown over the peak season with July demand reaching four percent growth. That trend appears across all regions and is particularly evident for international travel, which strengthened from 3.9 percent growth in June to 5.3 percent in July.
“Moreover, with flight volumes showing a two percent year-on-year increase for September after five months of decelerating growth, airlines are positioned to take advantage of this market momentum into the coming months,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
International RPK growth reached 5.3 percent in July year-on-year, but load factors fell in all regions except Africa.
African airlines saw a 2.8 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 2.3 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 74.9 percent (up 0.4 ppt compared to July 2024). Traffic on routes between Africa and Asia had a notable surge.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 8.7 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.0 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8 percent (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024).
European carriers had a 4.0 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.2 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.3 percent (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024).
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North American carriers saw a 2.4 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.6 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.4 percent (-1.0 ppt compared to July 2024). International traffic routes for the Americas were all positive except for traffic between North America and South America which declined 0.8 percent.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 5.3 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity rose by 5.6 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1 percent (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024). Middle East growth rebounded after the disruptions caused by the military conflict in June.
Latin American airlines saw a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.3 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 85.8 percent (-1.6 ppt compared to July 2024). Intra-regional traffic was particularly strong.
Domestic travel demand rose 1.9 percent over July 2024 and load factor fell by 0.4 ppt to 85.2 percent on the back of a 2.4 percent capacity expansion. Brazil was once again the strongest performer. Japan’s 81.4 percent load factor is a record high for July since at least the year 2000.
