The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2025 global passenger demand showing that African airlines saw a 13.6 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 8.9 percent year-on-year.
The load factor was 76.3 percent (+3.1 ppt compared to April 2024).
“April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 8.0 percent compared to April 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 6.5 percent year-on-year. The April load factor was 83.6 percent (+1.1 ppt compared to April 2024).
International demand rose 10.8 percent compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 8.5 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1 percent (+1.7 ppt compared to April 2024), the highest ever for April.
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Domestic demand increased 3.3 percent compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 3.1 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 82.7 percent (+0.1 ppt compared to April 2024).
International RPK growth accelerated to 10.8 percent in April year-on-year, with growth in all regions and load factors increasing everywhere except a slight fall in Latin America. Africa resumed growth after two months of declines, and North American international RPK grew (+5.4 percent), but suffered a 26 percent fall in First and Business class travel.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 14.4 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 12.7 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 85.3 percent (+1.3 ppt compared to April 2024).
European carriers had a 9.4 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.7 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.5 percent (+1.3 ppt compared to April 2024).
Middle Eastern carriers saw an 11.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.6 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 83.1 percent (+3.4 ppt compared to April 2024).
North American carriers saw a 5.4 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.6 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.4 percent (+2.2 ppt compared to April 2024).
Latin American airlines saw a 13.9 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 14.6 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 83.2 percent (-0.6 ppt compared to April 2024).
