Abu dhabi: Passenger demand experienced a 4.6% increase in August 2025, as reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, also saw a 4.5% year-on-year rise. August’s load factor reached a record high of 86.0%, reflecting a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points compared to the same month in 2024.
According to Emirates News Agency, international demand led the growth with a 6.6% increase over August 2024, accompanied by a 6.5% rise in capacity. The load factor for international flights was 85.8%, marking a historic high. Meanwhile, domestic demand saw a 1.5% increase, with capacity growing by 1.3% and a load factor of 86.3%.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, noted that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached record highs despite economic and geopolitical challenges. Airlines are planning to increase capacity by 3.4% in October, emphasizing the need for the aerospace sector to address supply chain issues.
Regionally, Asia-Pacific airlines recorded the highest growth, with a 9.8% increase in demand, driven by strong performances in China and Japan. European carriers saw demand rise by 5.3%, while North American carriers experienced a modest 1.8% increase. Middle Eastern and Latin American airlines reported strong growth at 8.2% and 9.0%, respectively. African airlines posted a 7.1% increase in demand.
Domestic revenue passenger kilometers rose by 1.5% compared to August 2024, contributing less to the global increase than in the previous year. The US domestic market saw a decline in load factor for the eighth consecutive month, while Brazil’s growth was supported by government tourism initiatives.