Global air passenger demand grows 5.3% in 2025

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Total air passenger demand around the globe was up 5.3% in 2025 on a yearly basis, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday.

Total air capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, expanded by 5.2% over the same period.

The load factor was 83.6% last year, up 0.1 percentage point versus 2024 and an annual record high.

The international passenger demand rose 7.1% in 2025, and domestic demand was up 2.4% on a yearly basis.

IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said "2025 saw demand for air travel grow by 5.3% with international demand growing by 7.1% and domestic by 2.4%. This returns industry growth to align with historical growth patterns after the robust post-COVID rebound."

He added that the strong and continuous increase in demand puts into sharp focus two key challenges—decarbonization and supply chain.

- Air cargo demand

IATA in a separate press release on Tuesday said total air cargo demand rose 3.4% year-on-year in 2025, marking the sixth consecutive monthly rise.

Air cargo capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers, expanded by 3.7% last year.

Walsh said global e-commerce strength drove volumes, even as trading relationships with the US faced rising tariffs, the removal of de minimis tariff exemptions, and continuing policy uncertainty.

"Air cargo rose to the occasion. It adapted quickly to support global businesses and supply chains as they front-loaded product deliveries ahead of tariff impositions and adjusted to rising demand within Asia and between Asia and Europe as US-Asia trade stagnated," he said.

Walsh added that growth in 2026 is expected to moderate slightly to 2.4%, in line with historical trends.