Published on
August 29, 2025
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 4% year-on-year increase in global passenger demand for July 2025. This increase, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), indicates a positive trend in global air travel as the aviation industry continues to recover from previous disruptions.
- Total demand: Up by 4.0% compared to July 2024.
- Total capacity: Increased by 4.4% year-on-year.
- Load factor: A slight decrease of 0.4 percentage points to 85.5%.
Growth in International Passenger Markets
International passenger traffic was a key contributor to the growth in July 2025, seeing a 5.3% increase in demand, compared to the same month in 2024. However, the load factor across international flights slightly declined by 0.4 percentage points, standing at 85.6%.
- Asia-Pacific: Passenger demand increased by 5.7%, with a capacity rise of 5.6%. The region recorded a load factor of 83.2%.
- Europe: Demand growth of 2.9%, with a capacity increase of 3.2%. The load factor was 88.0%.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: The region saw the highest demand increase, at 7.2%, with a 7.5% capacity expansion. The load factor stood at 85.7%.
- Middle East: With a demand growth of 5.4% and a capacity rise of 5.9%, the load factor was 83.8%.
- North America: Saw a more modest growth of 1.9%, with a capacity increase of 3.0%. The load factor was 87.5%, the highest in the international segment.
Air Passenger Market in Detail – July 2025
| July 2025 | World Share | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | PLF Change | PLF Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market | 100% | 4.0% | 4.4% | -0.4% | 85.5% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 3.9% | 4.4% | -0.3% | 75.1% |
| Asia Pacific | 33.5% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 0.0% | 83.2% |
| Europe | 26.7% | 2.9% | 3.2% | -0.2% | 88.0% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 5.3% | 7.2% | 7.5% | -0.3% | 85.7% |
| Middle East | 9.4% | 5.4% | 5.9% | -0.4% | 83.8% |
| North America | 22.9% | 1.9% | 3.0% | -1.0% | 87.5% |
Regional Breakdown—International Passenger Markets
| Region | RPK Growth | Capacity Growth | Load Factor | Load Factor Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia-Pacific | 8.7% | 9.0% | 83.8% | -0.2% |
| Europe | 4.0% | 4.2% | 87.3% | -0.2% |
| Latin America & Caribbean | 9.3% | 11.3% | 85.8% | -1.6% |
| Middle East | 5.3% | 5.6% | 84.1% | -0.2% |
| North America | 2.4% | 3.6% | 88.4% | -1.0% |
Domestic Passenger Markets
| July 2025 | World Share | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | PLF Change | PLF Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 38.2% | 1.9% | 2.4% | -0.4% | 85.2% |
| Domestic Australia | 0.8% | 4.3% | 3.0% | +1.0% | 85.1% |
| Domestic Brazil | 1.1% | 9.4% | 7.5% | +1.5% | 85.8% |
| Domestic China P.R. | 11.3% | 3.8% | 4.8% | -0.8% | 82.1% |
| Domestic Japan | 1.0% | 2.9% | -1.2% | +3.3% | 81.4% |
| Domestic US | 14.4% | 1.5% | 2.4% | -0.8% | 87.0% |
All figures provided are provisional and include total reporting at the time of publication, along with estimates for any missing data. Historical data may be subject to revision.
Domestic RPKs accounted for approximately 38.2% of the global market in 2024. The five domestic markets covered in this report represent 28.6% of total global RPKs.
Measurement Terms:
- RPK (Revenue Passenger Kilometers): This measures actual passenger traffic.
- ASK (Available Seat Kilometers): This measures the available passenger capacity.
- PLF (Passenger Load Factor): This indicates the percentage of available seat kilometers (ASKs) that are utilized.
IATA statistics cover both international and domestic scheduled air traffic for both member and non-member airlines.
The breakdown of total passenger traffic market shares by region for 2024 in terms of RPK is as follows:
- Asia-Pacific: 33.6%
- Europe: 26.7%
- North America: 22.9%
- Middle East: 9.4%
- Latin America: 5.3%
- Africa: 2.2%
Broader Context and Travel Linkages
According to IATA’s Director General, the July figures show resilience in both business and leisure travel. While the industry still faces challenges such as higher fuel prices, infrastructure constraints, and geopolitical risks, airlines continue to see steady demand. The modest softening of load factors reflects capacity growth catching up with demand rather than a decline in traveler appetite.
For tourism, the growth in international passenger markets is a key indicator of recovery. The Asia-Pacific region, which is showing strong demand, benefits from the reopening of popular destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. These markets rely heavily on air connectivity, and rising passenger traffic suggests a rebound in tourism receipts, hotel occupancy, and related services.
In Europe, a 2.9% growth may look moderate, but the region continues to lead in efficiency with one of the highest load factors globally. This stability supports both inbound tourism from long-haul markets and intra-European leisure travel, which remains strong during the summer peak. Major tourist hubs such as Spain, France, and Italy are seeing higher air arrivals compared to the previous year, boosting local economies tied to tourism.
Latin America’s strong performance, with over 9% growth in international RPKs, highlights the region’s rising role in global leisure travel. Caribbean destinations in particular are benefiting from expanded connectivity and increased demand from both North America and Europe. This reflects ongoing consumer interest in beach and resort destinations, coupled with governments promoting tourism as a growth engine.
Domestic markets also contribute to the tourism landscape. Brazil’s nearly 10% domestic growth demonstrates how improved connectivity within the country is boosting both business and leisure travel. Similarly, Japan’s sharp improvement in load factor shows how domestic tourism campaigns and events are supporting airlines even with modest demand growth.
Looking Ahead
IATA expects global air travel demand to continue on its upward path, with international traffic driving much of the growth. The link between aviation and tourism is clear: as more flights operate and new routes are added, destinations can expect higher visitor numbers, supporting local economies. The July 2025 data underscores how aviation remains a vital enabler of global mobility, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity.
