Global air travel demand reaches record levels in 2025, according to full-year passenger data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers rises 5.3% compared with 2024, while total capacity increases 5.2%, pushing the global passenger load factor to a record 83.6%.
International demand grows 7.1% year-on-year, with capacity up 6.8% and an international load factor of 83.5%, also a record. Domestic demand rises 2.4% as capacity expands 2.5%, while December 2025 caps the year with overall demand up 5.6%, capacity up 5.9%, and a load factor of 83.7%.
Record demand reshapes the travel landscape
The latest figures confirm that the aviation industry has moved beyond its post-pandemic rebound and returned to long-term growth patterns. “2025 saw demand for air travel grow by 5.3%, with international demand growing by 7.1% and domestic by 2.4%. This returns industry growth to align with historical growth patterns after the robust post-COVID rebound,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
For travellers, the numbers translate into busier airports, fuller planes and wider route choices, particularly on international networks. Airlines respond to strong travel demand by keeping aircraft flying longer and maximising seat availability, a trend that pushes load factors to just under 84% globally.
Key full-year 2025 performance indicators include:
- Total passenger demand up 5.3% compared with 2024.
- Total capacity up 5.2% year-on-year.
- Overall passenger load factor reaches a record 83.6%.
- International demand increased 7.1%, with a record load factor of 83.5%.
- Domestic demand rises 2.4%, with a full-year load factor of 83.7%.
December delivered a strong finish, with global demand up 5.6% from December 2024. Asia Pacific posts 6.3% growth for the month, Europe climbs 7.6%, and the Middle East advances 9.6%, underlining the sustained appetite for long-haul and regional travel as the year closes.
Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets
Full-year international traffic rose by 7.1% compared to 2024, while capacity rose 6.8%. For the month of December, international demand grew by 7.7%, capacity increased 7.9%, and the load factor declined by 0.1 ppt (compared to December 2024) to 83.9%.
Asia-Pacific airlines posted a 10.9% rise in full year international 2025 traffic compared to 2024. Capacity rose 10.2%, and the load factor rose 0.5 ppt to 84.4%. The region finished 2025 with the fastest growth rate and highest load factor of any region. December 2025 traffic rose 7.5% compared to December 2024.
European carriers’ full-year traffic climbed 6.0% versus 2024. Capacity increased 5.9%, and load factor rose 0.1 ppt to 84.1%. For December, demand climbed 8.4% compared to the same month in 2024.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 6.7% increase in traffic in 2025 compared to 2024. Capacity increased 5.8%, and load factor climbed 0.7 ppt to 81.6%. December demand climbed 9.5% compared to the same month in 2024.
North American airlines reported a 2.1% annual traffic rise in 2025 compared to 2024. Capacity increased 2.4%, and load factor fell -0.2 ppt to 83.9%. Both traffic and capacity growth were the slowest of any region in 2025. December 2025 traffic rose 3.5% compared to the year-ago period.
Latin American airlines posted an 8.6% year-over-year traffic increase in 2025 compared with full-year 2024. Annual capacity climbed 10.2% and load factor declined -1.2 ppt to 83.6% (the sharpest load factor fall of any region). December demand climbed 8.2% compared to December 2024.
African airlines’ annual traffic rose 7.8% in 2025 versus the prior year. Full year 2025 capacity was up 6.5%, and load factor climbed 0.9 ppt to 74.9%. This was the lowest load factor among regions, but a record high for Africa, and the strongest load factor increase of any region. December 2025 traffic for African airlines rose 10.3% over December 2024.
Domestic Passenger Markets
Domestic full-year demand reached record highs for passenger numbers and load factors. Growth slowed compared to the strong rebound in 2024. The standout performer in 2025 Domestic RPK was Brazil, which increased by 11.1% from 2024. The United States saw its domestic market contract by -0.6%. The sharpest increase in load factor was in Japan (+3.4 ppt), in contrast to the United States, which registered the heaviest fall (-1.9 ppt). Although domestic Indian travel also saw a sharp (-1.2 ppt) decline in load factor, it still recorded the highest load factor overall (85.2%). Australia had the lowest load factor, at 81.2%, which is still relatively healthy.
