The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights:
- Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 8.0% compared to April 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 6.5% year-on-year. The April load factor was 83.6% (+1.1 ppt compared to April 2024).
- International demand rose 10.8% compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 8.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1% (+1.7 ppt), the highest ever for April.
- Domestic demand increased 3.3% compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 3.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.7% (+0.1 ppt).
“April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“As we gather in New Delhi, India for the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, it is notable that Indian domestic growth is running at over 10%. The development of India’s air connectivity in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal, making this year’s gathering a timely and powerful reminder for all on how aviation connectivity drives growth and development,” said Walsh.
Air Passenger Market in Detail – April 2025
| Region | World Share¹ | RPK YoY | ASK YoY | PLF (%-pt) | PLF Level |
| Total Market | 100% | 8.0% | 6.5% | +1.1 | 83.6% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 14.2% | 10.3% | +2.6 | 76.3% |
| Asia-Pacific | 33.5% | 10.6% | 7.9% | +2.0 | 84.4% |
| Europe | 26.7% | 8.3% | 6.6% | +1.3 | 85.1% |
| Latin America | 5.3% | 10.9% | 10.1% | +0.6 | 82.3% |
| Middle East | 9.4% | 11.3% | 6.7% | +3.4 | 82.9% |
| North America | 22.9% | 1.6% | 3.2% | -1.3 | 81.9% |
Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets
International RPK growth accelerated to 10.8% year-on-year in April, with growth across all regions. Load factors increased everywhere except Latin America, which saw a slight decline. Africa returned to growth after two months of contraction, while North American international RPK rose 5.4% but saw a 26% drop in premium class travel.
- Asia-Pacific airlines: +14.4% demand YoY, +12.7% capacity, 85.3% load factor (+1.3 ppt).
- European carriers: +9.4% demand, +7.7% capacity, 84.5% load factor (+1.3 ppt).
- Middle Eastern carriers: +11.2% demand, +6.6% capacity, 83.1% load factor (+3.4 ppt).
- North American carriers: +5.4% demand, +2.6% capacity, 83.4% load factor (+2.2 ppt).
- Latin American airlines: +13.9% demand, +14.6% capacity, 83.2% load factor (-0.6 ppt).
- African airlines: +13.6% demand, +8.9% capacity, 76.3% load factor (+3.1 ppt).
Domestic Passenger Markets
Domestic RPK rose 3.3% year-on-year, with a load factor of 82.7% (+0.1 ppt) on 3.1% capacity growth. The US was the only domestic market to decline (-0.5%) for the third month in a row. India and Brazil continued to grow at double-digit rates. India saw the fastest capacity expansion, slightly reducing its load factor but still leading among major domestic markets.
| Market | World Share¹ | RPK YoY | ASK YoY | PLF (%-pt) | PLF Level |
| Domestic | 38.2% | 3.3% | 3.1% | +0.1 | 82.7% |
| Australia | 0.8% | 2.4% | -2.2% | +3.7 | 81.5% |
| Brazil | 1.1% | 13.5% | 7.7% | +4.2 | 81.1% |
| China | 11.3% | 7.0% | 3.7% | +2.6 | 83.9% |
| India | 1.6% | 10.1% | 11.3% | -0.9 | 85.7% |
| Japan | 1.0% | 7.3% | 2.3% | +3.4 | 73.6% |
| United States | 14.4% | -0.5% | 3.4% | -3.1 | 80.6% |
Explanation of Terms:
- RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometres – actual passenger traffic
- ASK: Available Seat Kilometres – available passenger capacity
- PLF: Passenger Load Factor – % of ASKs used
Data compiled by IATA Economics using direct airline reporting and estimates, including FlightRadar24 data under licence. All figures are provisional and subject to revision.
