February 04, 2026
Global air passenger demand increased 5.3 percent in 2025
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released 2025 full-year and December 2025 passenger market performance showing record high demand.
Total full-year demand in 2025 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 5.3% compared to 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.2% in 2025. The overall passenger load factor (PLF) reached 83.6%, up 0.1 ppt and a record for full-year traffic.
International full-year demand in 2025 increased 7.1% compared to 2024, and capacity rose 6.8%. The full year international load factor was 83.5%, a rise of 0.2 ppt on 2024. This was also a record high for international PLF. Domestic full-year demand for 2025 rose 2.4% compared to the prior year, while capacity expanded by 2.5%. The load factor for the full year averaged 83.7%, down -0.1 ppt compared to 2024.
December 2025 was a strong finish to the year with overall demand rising 5.6% year-on-year, capacity growing by 5.9%, and a load factor of 83.7%.
Source: IATA