By Mucahithan Avcioglu
ISTANBUL (AA) - Total air passenger demand around the globe was up 5% in May 2025 on a yearly basis, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday.
Total air capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, was also up 5% over the same period.
The load factor was at 83.4% in May, down 0.1 percentage points versus the same month last year.
In May, international passenger demand rose 6.7%, and domestic demand was up 2.1% on a yearly basis.
IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said: "Severe disruptions in the Middle East in late June remind us that geopolitical instability remains a challenge in some regions as airlines maintain safe operations with minimal passenger inconvenience.
"The impact of such instability on oil prices—which remained low throughout May—is also a critical factor to monitor."
He added that consumer confidence appears to be strong with forward bookings for the peak northern summer travel season, giving good reason for optimism.
- Air cargo
The IATA also said, in a separate press release on Monday, that total air cargo demand rose 2.2% year-on-year in May, despite trade disruptions.
Air cargo capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers, expanded by 2%.
Walsh said that the overall growth was encouraging news, as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia-to-North America trade lane illustrated the dampening effect of shifting US trade policies.
"Even as these policies evolve, already we can see the air cargo sector’s well-tested resilience helping shippers to accommodate supply chain needs to flexibly hold back, re-route, or accelerate deliveries," he added.