African airlines see 9.5% demand surge in May on summer bookings

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2025 global passenger demand showing that African airlines saw a 9.5 percent year-on-year increase in demand on summer bookings.

Capacity was up 6.2 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 74.9 percent (+2.2 ppt compared to May 2024). Africa-Asia is the fastest-growing international corridor, with an expansion of 15.9 percent.

For global travel, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 5.0 percent compared to May 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was also up 5.0 percent year-on-year. The May load factor was 83.4 percent (-0.1 ppt compared to May 2024).

International demand rose 6.7 percent compared to May 2024. Capacity was up 6.4 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.2 percent (+0.2 ppt compared to May 2024). This is a record load factor on international flights for May.

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Domestic demand increased 2.1 percent compared to May 2024. Capacity was up 2.8 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 83.7 percent (-0.5 ppt compared to May 2024).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said Air travel demand growth was uneven in May, adding that globally, the industry reported five percent growth with Asia-Pacific taking the lead at 9.4 percent.

“Severe disruptions in the Middle East in late June remind us that geopolitical instability remains a challenge in some regions as airlines maintain safe operations with minimal passenger inconvenience.

“The impact of such instability on oil prices—which remained low throughout May—is also a critical factor to monitor. Importantly, consumer confidence appears to be strong with forward bookings for the peak Northern summer travel season, giving good reason for optimism,” said Walsh.

International RPK growth reached 6.7 percent in May year-on-year, with growth in all regions but a mixed picture on load-factors, which increased only by 0.2 ppt. Traffic expansion on most key international routes to the Americas slowed in May, apart from Transatlantic with a modest 2.5 percent year-on-year increase.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 13.3 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 10.6 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.0 percent (+2.0 ppt compared to May 2024).

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European carriers had a 4.1 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.8 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.0 percent (-0.6 ppt compared to May 2024).

North American carriers saw a 1.4 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 1.7 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8 percent (-0.3 ppt compared to May 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw an 6.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.3 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.9 percent (-0.1 ppt compared to May 2024).

Latin American airlines saw an 8.8 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.0 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 83.6 percent (-1.7 ppt compared to May 2024).