The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2025 global passenger demand showing air passenger growth slowed in June as a result of disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East.
“In June, demand for air travel grew by 2.6 percent. That’s a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East.
“With demand growth lagging the 3.4 percent capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels. At 84.5 percent globally, however, load factors are still very strong. And with a modest 1.8 percent capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the Northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
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Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 2.6 percent compared to June 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was also up 3.4 percent year-on-year. The June load factor was 84.5 percent (-0.6 ppt compared to June 2024).
International demand rose 3.2 percent compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 4.2 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4 percent (-0.8 ppt compared to June 2024).
Domestic demand increased 1.6 percent compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 2.1 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 84.7 percent (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).
International RPK growth reached 3.2 percent in June year-on-year, but load factor fell across all regions as capacity growth outstripped demand. The steepest fall in RPK growth from May was in the Middle East, where international traffic contracted 0.4 percent year-on-year, impacted by military conflict.
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African airlines saw a 0.3 percent year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity was up 0.3 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 74.6 percent (-0.5 ppt compared to June 2024). The decline in African load factor may be due to increased competition from European and Middle Eastern carriers.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 7.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.5 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.9 percent (-0.2 ppt compared to June 2024).
European carriers had a 2.8 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.3 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.4 percent (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).
