The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a 5.0 percent year-on-year increase in global passenger demand for May 2025, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK).
The growth comes amid a stable capacity expansion and strong forward bookings ahead of the peak summer travel season.
According to IATA’s latest data:
- Total global capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), also grew by 5.0 percent compared to May 2024.
- The average load factor stood at 83.4 percent, a slight dip of 0.1 percentage points from a year ago.
International travel saw robust growth, with demand rising 6.7 percent year-on-year and capacity increasing by 6.4 percent.
The load factor reached 83.2 percent, up 0.2 percentage points, marking a record high for the month of May on international routes.
Meanwhile, domestic markets showed slower momentum. Demand increased by 2.1 percent, while capacity rose 2.8 percent. The load factor for domestic flights slipped 0.5 percentage points to 83.7 percent.
“Air travel demand growth was uneven in May. Globally, the industry reported 5 percent growth with Asia-Pacific taking the lead at 9.4 percent,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “The outlier was North America, which saw a 0.5 percent decline, largely due to a 1.7 percent fall in the US domestic market.”
He also noted that recent geopolitical instability in the Middle East—particularly in late June—serves as a reminder of the operational challenges airlines face in volatile regions. However, oil prices remained low throughout May, helping to ease cost pressures.
Looking ahead, Walsh struck an optimistic tone: “Importantly, consumer confidence appears to be strong with forward bookings for the peak Northern summer travel season, giving good reason for optimism.”
IATA continues to monitor global travel patterns closely, as airlines adapt to shifting regional dynamics and strive to maintain safe, reliable operations for passengers worldwide.