Passenger demand across global air travel markets rose by 5.0% in May 2025 compared to the same month last year, according to the latest data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The uptick, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), matches an equal 5.0% rise in available seat kilometers (ASKs), with the average global load factor holding steady at 83.4%, down slightly by 0.1 percentage points year-on-year.
International Travel Outpaces Domestic Gains
International routes continued to outpace domestic markets, with demand growing by 6.7% in May. Airlines also increased international seat capacity by 6.4%, resulting in a record-high May load factor of 83.2%, up 0.2 points from the previous year.
Asia-Pacific airlines led the surge, reporting a strong 13.3% growth in international RPKs and an 84.0% load factor. African carriers followed closely with a 9.5% rise in demand and a notable 2.2-point jump in load factor to 74.9%, buoyed by robust traffic on the Africa–Asia corridor, which expanded by 15.9%—the fastest-growing international segment.
Latin American airlines recorded an 8.8% increase in international traffic, Middle Eastern carriers posted 6.2% growth, and European airlines saw a 4.1% rise. North American carriers recorded modest growth of 1.4%, with a slightly lower load factor of 83.8%.
Domestic Travel Mixed Amid Regional Disparities
On the domestic front, total RPKs rose by 2.1%, even as capacity grew by 2.8%. This contributed to a 0.5-point decline in load factor to 83.7%. Brazil continued its streak with a robust 18.3% jump in domestic traffic, while China followed with 7.4%, maintaining monthly growth momentum since March.
However, the U.S. market—the world’s largest domestic airspace—registered a 1.7% decline in passenger demand. The dip has been attributed to an economic slowdown and cuts in government-related travel.
India’s domestic growth reached 3.1%, but its capacity surge of 9.6% led to a significant 5.3-point drop in load factor. Japan recorded a 5.8% gain, and Australia saw a marginal 1.0% improvement.
Regional Market Share and Performance – May 2025
| Region | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | Load Factor | Change (ppt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | +7.5% | +4.6% | 75.3% | +2.0 |
| Asia-Pacific | +9.4% | +7.1% | 83.8% | +1.8 |
| Europe | +3.4% | +3.9% | 84.7% | -0.4 |
| Latin America | +8.5% | +9.6% | 82.2% | -0.8 |
| Middle East | +6.2% | +6.7% | 80.7% | -0.4 |
| North America | -0.5% | +2.0% | 83.4% | -2.1 |
Industry Outlook
“Air travel demand growth was uneven in May,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. “Asia-Pacific led the way with a 9.4% rise, while North America saw a rare decline, driven by a 1.7% drop in U.S. domestic traffic. Nevertheless, strong forward bookings for the Northern Hemisphere’s summer season suggest that traveler confidence remains high.”
Walsh also pointed to geopolitical instability—such as recent disruptions in the Middle East—and oil price fluctuations as continuing challenges for airlines, despite crude prices remaining relatively low through May.
Data Snapshot – Domestic Markets
| Domestic Market | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | Load Factor | Change (ppt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | +1.0% | 0.0% | 79.2% | +0.8 |
| Brazil | +18.3% | +15.7% | 81.2% | +1.8 |
| China | +7.4% | +4.8% | 84.3% | +2.0 |
| India | +3.1% | +9.6% | 83.5% | -5.3 |
| Japan | +5.8% | -1.1% | 76.9% | +5.0 |
| United States | -1.7% | +2.0% | 83.0% | -3.1 |
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