Passenger Demand Grows 4.6% in August with Record Load Factor, According to IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that global passenger demand in August 2025 grew by 4.6% compared to the same month in 2024. Global capacity increased at a similar rate, by 4.5%, allowing the load factor to reach 86%, the highest on record for this month.
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, highlighted that “the peak summer season in the Northern Hemisphere reached a new high, with aircraft fuller than ever.” He also emphasized that despite geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, the growth trend remains strong. For October, airlines are already projecting a 3.4% increase in capacity, although he warned that it will be key for the aviation sector to overcome supply chain challenges.
International vs. Domestic: Who Leads the Growth?
International traffic was the main driver of the recovery. In August, flights between countries recorded a 6.6% year-on-year increase, accounting for 87% of the global expansion. Capacity also rose by 6.5%, with a load factor of 85.8%.
In contrast, the domestic market grew by 1.5% compared to August 2024, contributing only 13% to global growth, well below the 25% from a year ago. The report notes that the United States recorded its eighth consecutive month of declining load factor, while Brazil stood out with a recovery supported by government policies promoting tourism.
Regional Overview: Asia and Middle East Lead
Asia-Pacific
Airlines in this region recorded a 9.8% increase in international demand, driven by China (+11.8%) and Japan (+12%). Capacity grew by 9.5%, with a load factor of 85.1%.
Europe
European air traffic increased by 5.3%, in line with capacity, keeping the load factor stable at 87.9%, the highest among all regions.
North America
The increase was more moderate, at 1.8%, while capacity grew by 2.6%. The load factor fell by 0.6 percentage points to 87.5%, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decrease in international flights.
Middle East
Carriers in the region experienced an 8.2% advance in demand and a 6.9% increase in capacity. The load factor reached 83.9%, one percentage point above the previous year.
Latin America and the Caribbean
The market grew by 9.0%, accompanied by a 9.3% increase in capacity. However, the load factor slightly receded to 84.7%.
Africa
African airlines registered a 7.1% increase in demand, with a 5.3% growth in capacity. The load factor rose by 1.3 points to 79.7%.
Outlook for the Coming Months
The August results confirm that the air sector continues its strong recovery, albeit with regional variations. The projection of higher capacity in October reflects airlines’ confidence in the continuity of demand. However, IATA warns that the challenge for the coming months will be the aviation industry’s ability to resolve bottlenecks in aircraft and parts production.
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