Passenger Demand Soars in August; Africa Leads Growth | By David Kwakutse | Global air travel demand continued its upward climb in August 2025, with passenger volumes reaching record highs, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Data released by IATA shows total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased by 4.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), rose 4.5% year-on-year, while the global load factor hit 86.0%—the highest ever recorded for the month.
International travel demand grew by 6.6% compared to the same period last year, supported by a 6.5% increase in capacity. The international load factor stood at 85.8%. Domestic markets also recorded steady growth, with demand up 1.5% and capacity up 1.3%. The domestic load factor reached 86.3%.
“August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high. Planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. He added that despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, global growth remains strong, with airlines planning 3.4% more capacity in October.
Walsh, however, urged the aerospace manufacturing sector to resolve supply chain disruptions to support airlines in meeting growing demand.
African airlines outperformed the global average, recording a 7.1% year-on-year increase in passenger demand. Capacity grew by 5.3%, while the load factor rose to 79.7%, a 1.3 percentage-point improvement compared to August 2024.
The continent’s robust performance is driven by growing connectivity within Africa and expanding links to Asia and the Middle East, reinforcing Africa’s role as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.
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