TUE SEPT 30 2025-theGBJournal| African airlines saw a 7.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data on global passenger demand for August 2025 published today.
The airlines’ watchdog said the load factor was 79.7% (+1.3 ppt compared to August 2024).
Similarly, African airlines saw a 11.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 12.3% year-on-year.
In the period under review, Air freight volumes in August 2025 equally increased significantly across most major trade corridors.
Europe–Asia and Within Asia posted robust double-digit growth, while Middle East–Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable gains.
In contrast, Asia–North America, Middle East–Europe, and Within Europe recorded declines.
“August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General while commenting the performance.
Meanwhile, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year.
The August load factor was 86.0% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month.
International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).
Domestic demand increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).
planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%.
Willie Walsh noted that 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,” Walsh added.
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