IATA - International Air Transport Association

10/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2025 03:14

3.6% Air Passenger Growth in September

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights:

  • Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 3.6% compared to September 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (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% compared to September 2024. Capacity was up 5.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.6% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).
  • 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 compared to September 2024).

"Solid international demand drove 90% of September's 3.6% overall growth. Importantly, the capacity expansion slightly nudged ahead of 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 Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.

Air Passenger Market in Detail

September 2025 (% year-on-year) World Share​1 RPK ASK PLF(%-PT)​2 PLF(Level)​3
Total Market 100% 3.6% 3.7% -0.1% 83.4%
Africa 2.2% 6.1% 6.9% -0.6% 74.9%
Asia-Pacific 33.5% 5.3% 4.0% 1.1% 83.6%
Europe 26.7% 2.9% 3.3% -0.3% 86.2%
Latin America and Caribbean 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 0.0% 83.6%
Middle East 9.4% 6.2% 6.3% -0.1% 81.8%
North America 22.9% -0.1% 1.8% -1.5% 81.2%

1) % of industry RPK in 2024 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level

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 load factor improvement was Asia-Pacific.

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).

Domestic Passenger Markets

Domestic RPK rose 0.9% over September 2024 and load factor fell by 0.1 ppt to 83.0% on the back of a 1.1% capacity expansion. Brazil continues to lead the way with a double-digit expansion. By contrast, the decline in US domestic travel accelerated to -1.7% and its load factor is the weakest of the major domestic markets.

September 2025 (% year-on-year) World Share​1 RPK ASK PLF(%-PT)​2 PLF(LEVEL)​3
Domestic 38.2% 0.9% 1.1% -0.1% 83.0%
Domestic Australia 0.8% 1.3% 5.3% -3.2% 81.7%
Domestic Brazil 1.1% 12.1% 10.0% 1.6% 84.4%
Domestic China P.R. 11.3% 5.0% 3.2% 1.4% 84.2%
Domestic India 1.7% -0.7% 1.5% -1.9% 81.1%
Domestic Japan 1.0% 3.3% -0.8% 3.4% 84.9%
Domestic US 14.4% -1.7% 0.1% -1.5% 80.2%

1) % of industry RPK in 2024 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level

> View the September 2025 Air Passenger Market Analysis (pdf)

For more information, please contact:Corporate CommunicationsTel: +41 22 770 2967Email: [email protected]

Notes for Editors:

  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic.
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  • All figures are provisional and represent total reporting at time of publication plus estimates for missing data. Historic figures are subject to revision.
  • Domestic RPKs accounted for about 38.2% of the total market in 2024. The six domestic markets in this report account for 30.2% of global RPKs.
  • Explanation of measurement terms:
    • RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometers measures actual passenger traffic
    • ASK: Available Seat Kilometers measures available passenger capacity
    • PLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used
  • IATA statistics cover international and domestic scheduled air traffic for IATA member and non-member airlines.
  • Total passenger traffic market shares by region of carriers for 2024 in terms of RPK are: Asia-Pacific 33.5%, Europe 26.7%, North America 22.9%, Middle East 9.4%, Latin America 5.3%, and Africa 2.2%.
IATA - International Air Transport Association published this content on October 30, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 30, 2025 at 09:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]