All regions register growth
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its April 2025 global passenger demand report, revealing a strong upward trajectory in air travel. The data indicates a significant rebound from previous years, with notable growth across both international and domestic markets.
In April 2025, total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), increased by 8.0% compared to April 2024. This growth outpaced the 6.5% rise in capacity (available seat kilometres, or ASK), resulting in a higher load factor of 83.6%, up 1.1 percentage points year-over-year.
International air travel experienced a robust surge, with demand rising by 10.8% year-on-year. All regions reported growth, contributing to a record load factor of 84.1% for April. Notably, North American international RPK grew by 5.4%, despite a 26% decline in premium class travel, highlighting a shift in consumer behaviour.
- Asia-Pacific: Airlines in this region experienced a 14.4% increase in demand, accompanied by a 12.7% rise in capacity. The load factor improved to 85.3%, indicating a strong recovery in travel.
- Europe: European carriers experienced a 9.4% rise in demand and a 7.7% increase in capacity, achieving a load factor of 84.5%.
- Middle East: Middle Eastern airlines reported an 11.2% growth in demand, with capacity up by 6.6%. The load factor reached 83.1%, marking a 3.4 percentage point improvement.
- North America: While overall demand increased by 5.4%, the region faced challenges in the premium class travel segment. Capacity rose by 2.6%, and the load factor improved to 83.4%.
- Latin America: Latin American airlines experienced a 13.9% increase in demand, accompanied by a 14.6% rise in capacity. The load factor stood at 83.2%, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points.
- Africa: African carriers experienced a 13.6% rise in demand and an 8.9% increase in capacity, with the load factor at 76.3%, up 3.1 percentage points.
Domestic travel showed varied performance across regions. India led with a 10.1% increase in demand, supported by an 11.3% rise in capacity, resulting in a load factor of 85.7%. Conversely, the United States saw a slight decline of 0.5% in domestic demand, marking the third consecutive month of downturn.
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, expressed optimism about the sustained growth in air travel, particularly highlighting India’s rapid expansion in domestic connectivity. However, he also pointed out emerging concerns, such as the decline in premium-class travel in North America and potential challenges to consumer and business confidence.
Image: A passenger’s perspective of an air map showing an Emirates aircraft in real-time flight headed from the UAE to the United States. Credit: Arnold Pinto
