The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its air passenger demand for the month of August on Tuesday, 30th September.
Per the report, total demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.6 percent compared to August 2024.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.5 percent year-on-year, and the August load factor was 86 percent, a record high for the month.
Meanwhile, international demand was up 6.6 percent from where it was at end-August 2024, while capacity rose by 6.5 percent year on year.
On the other hand, there was a 1.5 percent increase in domestic air demand compared to August 2024, with capacity up 1.3 percent with a load factor of around 86.3 percent.
IATA director-general Willie Walsh opines that the August passenger demand report confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high.
Walsh said: “Moreover, planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%. Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend shows no signs of abating, as October schedules are showing airlines planning 3.4% 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.”
August performance in global markets
International RPK growth reached 6.6 percent in August year-on-year, and load factor reached a historic high.
Indeed, international traffic was by far the dominant driver of growth, accounting for 87 percent of the net increase in global RPK in August.
Performance by region is as follows:
- Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 9.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.1% (+0.2 ppt compared to August 2024). Growth was driven by strong demand from China and Japan (+11.8% and +12% respectively).
- European carriers had a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 5.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was flat (0.0 ppt compared to August 2024).
- North American carriers saw a 1.8% year-on-year increase in demand. 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.
- Middle Eastern carriers saw an 8.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity rose by 6.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (+1.0 ppt compared to August 2024).
- Latin American airlines saw a 9.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 9.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.7% (-0.2 ppt compared to August 2024).
- African airlines saw a 7.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 79.7% (+1.3 ppt compared to August 2024).
The domestic passenger scene in August 2025
Domestic RPK rose 1.5 percent from where it was in August 2024 and contributed only 13 percent of the global increase in August RPK.
This reflects a drop of 25 percent from where it was a year ago.
Meanwhile, the US domestic load factor year-on-year dropped again for the eighth consecutive month.
In South America, on the other hand, the sharp expansion in Brazil was helped by government efforts to promote tourism.
