Air passenger demand grew 4.6% in August: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its data for August 2025 global passenger demand, noting that total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024.

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year, IATA said.

The August load factor was 86.0% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month. 

International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024 while capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year with a load factor of 85.8%.   

Domestic demand increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3%.

North American carriers, for one, saw a 1.8% year-on-year increase in demand, IATA said.

Capacity increased 2.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.5% (-0.6 ppt compared to August 2024). This was the fourth consecutive month of YoY declines in international PLF for North America, IATA reported.

“August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6 per cent confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high. Moreover, planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86 per cent,” stated Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, in a press release.

“Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend shows no signs of abating, as October schedules are showing airlines planning 3.4 per cent more capacity. Airlines are doing their best to meet travel demand by maximizing efficiency, making it even more critical for the aerospace manufacturing sector to sort out its supply chain challenges.”  

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