Global Air Travel Demand Surges in October 2025 as Industry Shows Strong Resilience

International travel remained the primary engine of growth, with international RPKs jumping 8.5% year-on-year—the strongest monthly expansion since early 2023.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its latest report on global air passenger demand for October 2025, revealing solid growth across international and domestic markets despite ongoing economic uncertainties. With global passenger traffic rising for the tenth consecutive month, the aviation sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and remains a critical driver of economic activity, connectivity, and employment.

Strong Global Performance Driven by International Travel

Total global demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), climbed 6.6% compared to October 2024. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASKs), increased 5.8%, resulting in a high global load factor of 84.6%, up 0.7 percentage points from the same period last year.

International travel remained the primary engine of growth, with international RPKs jumping 8.5% year-on-year—the strongest monthly expansion since early 2023. Capacity for international routes rose 7.1%, while the international load factor reached 84.6%, up 1.1 percentage points.

Domestic travel grew at a more moderate pace, with domestic RPKs increasing 3.4%, capacity up 3.6%, and the domestic load factor remaining stable at 84.6%.

Industry Outlook Strengthening Toward Year-End

IATA Director General Willie Walsh highlighted the positive momentum:

“October was a strong month for air travel with demand up 6.6% on the previous year. Of particular note is the 4.5% international traffic growth for carriers based in North America after several months of flat performance.”

Walsh pointed to scheduled seat capacity projections—up 3.6% in November and 4.7% in December—as indicators of robust demand heading into the holiday season. Despite concerns about global economic conditions in 2026, the continued strength of air travel is “a bright spot that governments should nurture with care,” he said.

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Regional Breakdown: International Passenger Markets

Global international air travel rose across all regions in October, with particularly strong performance in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

Asia-Pacific: 10.9% Growth – Region Leads Global Recovery

• Demand surged 10.9% year-on-year

• Capacity up 9.1%

• Load factor reached 84.4% (+1.4 ppt)

Asia-Pacific remains the fastest-growing international region, supported by strong travel flows to and from China, Japan, and Vietnam, each of which posted double-digit increases. The restoration of regional networks and continued recovery in long-haul markets helped drive record gains.

Europe: 7.4% Growth – Strong Load Factors

• Demand up 7.4%

• Capacity up 6.0%

• Load factor at 86.5% (+1.2 ppt), the highest globally

European carriers benefited from strong intra-European business travel, steady long-haul demand, and improved supply-chain stability across airports.

North America: 4.5% Growth – Market Rebounds After Flat Months

• Demand up 4.5%

• Capacity up 4.7%

• Load factor: 84.2% (-0.1 ppt)

North America's rebound was led by a modest but notable 3.8% growth across the trans-Atlantic corridor, supported by rising corporate travel and strong outbound leisure demand.

Middle East: 10.7% Growth – Strongest Recovery After Low Base

• Demand up 10.7%

• Capacity up 8.1%

• Load factor at 82.5% (+2.0 ppt)

Middle Eastern airlines recovered strongly from last year’s geopolitical disruptions, benefiting from robust transfer traffic, expanded long-haul operations, and network consolidation.

Latin America: 7.2% Growth – Capacity Outpacing Demand

• Demand up 7.2%

• Capacity up 8.2%

• Load factor at 84.6% (-0.8 ppt)

Airlines in the region are expanding aggressively in response to strong leisure travel and improving macroeconomic indicators, although capacity growth slightly outstripped demand.

Africa: 7.3% Growth – Demand Rising Despite Challenges

• Demand up 7.3%

• Capacity up 5.3%

• Load factor: 74.1% (+1.4 ppt)

Africa recorded steady passenger demand growth driven by intra-African networks and expanded connections to the Middle East and Europe. However, load factors remain the lowest globally due to persistent operational and infrastructure bottlenecks.

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Domestic Passenger Markets: Moderate Growth, Strong Standouts

Domestic air travel rose 3.4% year-on-year. Capacity increased 3.6%, while load factors dipped slightly by 0.1 ppt to 84.6%.

Key domestic markets:

United States

After two months of contraction, the U.S. market returned to modest growth, supported by business travel recovery and strong performance in major hubs.

Brazil

Brazil was the standout with 12.4% domestic growth, driven by:

• Improved economic conditions

• Expanded low-cost carrier services

• Strong leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) demand

India, China, and Australia also saw steady domestic improvements.

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Industry Outlook: Resilience Amid Uncertainty

Despite geopolitical tensions, volatile fuel prices, and softening economic forecasts for 2026, global aviation’s recovery remains highly resilient. Key drivers include:

• Strong leisure demand

• Rebound in corporate and premium travel

• Expansion of international networks

• Improved aircraft availability and supply-chain normalization

• Growing travel flows in emerging markets

IATA continues urging governments to support aviation through stable regulatory environments, modernized air traffic systems, and strategies that prioritize connectivity and economic growth.

The October results reaffirm that air travel remains among the world’s most dynamic and recovery-driven sectors—poised to continue expanding through year’s end and into 2026.