Global air passenger demand rose by 3.3 per cent in March 2025, compared to the 2.7 per cent growth reported for February, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In a statement today, IATA director general Willie Walsh said a capacity expansion of 5.3 per cent exceeded the increase in demand. As a result, the global load factor decreased from record highs to 80.7 per cent systemwide.
IATA reported that total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), increased by 3.3 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), while capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), grew by 5.3 per cent.
“This resulted in a global load factor of 80.7 per cent, down 1.6 percentage points,” the association said.
International traffic climbed by 4.9 per cent compared to March 2024, with capacity increasing by 7.0 per cent.
Asia-Pacific airlines recorded the highest growth among international markets, with a 9.9 per cent increase in demand. European carriers posted a 4.9 per cent rise, while Latin American airlines posted 7.7 per cent growth.
