IATA sees 3.6% passenger growth in September

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2025 global passenger demand showing total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 3.6% compared to September 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 3.7% year-on-year. The September load factor was 83.4% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024). International demand rose 5.1% compared to September 2024. Capacity was up 5.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.6% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024). Domestic demand increased 0.9% compared to September 2024. Capacity was up 1.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.0% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024). Willie Walsh, director General of IATA. (PHOTO: IATA) “Solid international demand drove 90% of September’s 3.6% overall growth. Importantly, the capacity expansion slightly nudged ahead of demand growth at 3.7%. Load factors, nonetheless, remained very strong at 83.4%. With November flight schedules indicating a 3% expansion on the previous year, airlines are gearing up for continued growth into the year-end holiday season. This is despite the severe constraints of unresolved supply chain issues,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Air passenger market in detail – September 2025        World share, %1 September 2025 (year-on-year, %) RPK ASK PLF (%-pt) PLF (level) TOTAL MARKET 100.0 3.6 3.7 -0.1 83.4 Africa 2.2 6.1 6.9 -0.6 74.9 Asia-Pacific 33.5 5.3 4.0 1.1 83.6 Europe 26.7 2.9 3.3 -0.3 86.2 Latin America and Caribbean 5.3 5.4 5.4 0.0 83.6 Middle East 9.4 6.2 6.3 -0.1 81.8 North America 22.9 -0.1 1.8 -1.5 81.2 1 % of industry RPK in 2024 Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets International RPK growth reached 5.1% in September year-on-year, and growth was seen in all regions. The only region to show a significant load factor improvement was Asia-Pacific. Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 7.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.3% (+1.0 ppt compared to September 2024). Intra-Asia travel was the strongest driver of growth with a 9.4% increase, led primarily by traffic from China and Japan. European carriers had a 4.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6% (-0.3 ppt compared to September 2024). North American carriers saw a 2.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.9% (-1.5 ppt compared to September 2024). The North America-Asia corridor showed weak growth of just 0.9%. By contrast, North America-South America traffic bounced back from its August decline, with growth of 1.1%. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 6.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 81.9% (unchanged compared to September 2024). Latin American airlines saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 6.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.3% (-1.2 ppt compared to September 2024). African airlines saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.7% (+0.1 ppt compared to September 2024). Domestic Passenger Markets Domestic RPK rose 0.9% over September 2024 and load factor fell by 0.1 ppt to 83.0% on the back of a 1.1% capacity expansion. Brazil continues to lead the way with a double-digit expansion. By contrast, the decline in US domestic travel accelerated to -1.7% and its load factor is the weakest of the major domestic markets. Air passenger market in detail – September 2025        World share, %1 September 2025 (year-on-year, %) RPK ASK PLF (%-pt) PLF (level) Domestic 38.2 0.9 1.1 -0.1 83.0 Dom. Australia 0.8 1.3 5.3 -3.2 81.7 Dom. Brazil 1.1 12.1 10.0 1.6 84.4 Dom. China P.R. 11.3 5.0 3.2 1.4 84.2 Dom. India 1.7 -0.7 1.5 -1.9 81.1 Dom. Japan 1.0 3.3 -0.8 3.4 84.9 Dom. United States 14.4 -1.7 0.1 -1.5 80.2 1 % of industry RPK in 2024 For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]