IATA: October air passenger demand accelerated to 6.6%

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says October’s global passenger demand accelerate to 6.6 per cent compared to one year earlier.  

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was also up 5.8% year-on-year.

The October load factor was also 84.6% (+0.7 ppt compared to October 2024).

International demand rose 8.5% compared to October 2024, IATA says, while capacity was up 7.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.6% (+1.1 ppt compared to October 2024).

Domestic demand also increased 3.4% compared to October 2024.

North American carriers, for one, saw a 4.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.7% year-on-year in this market, and the load factor was 84.2%, says IATA.

The trans-Atlantic corridor expanded by 3.8% year-on-year in October, a modest improvement over September’s 3.3% increase.

"October was a strong month for air travel with demand up 6.6 per cent on the previous year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Of particular note is the 4.5 per cent international traffic growth for carriers based in North America which comes after several months of basically flat performance.”

He said the trends for the rest of the year “look encouraging” with scheduled seat capacity in November is set to expand 3.6% and in December by 4.7%.

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“This points to strong demand for holiday travel and businesses looking to complete deals by the end of the year,” Walsh said. “Considering the uncertainty in the economic outlook for 2026, the resilience of demand for air travel, with the jobs and growth it brings, is a bright spot that governments should nurture with care.”