Global Air Passenger Demand Increases 5 Percent in May

(MENAFN) Air passenger demand globally saw a 5% rise in May 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s latest report.

The total air capacity, measured by available seat kilometers, mirrored this increase with a 5% rise year-on-year.

However, the load factor—the percentage of seats filled—stood at 83.4% in May, a slight dip of 0.1 percentage points from the same month in 2024.

International travel demand saw a notable 6.7% uptick, while domestic demand grew by 2.1% year-over-year.

Commenting on the data, IATA Director General Willie Walsh remarked: "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."

He also cautioned, "The impact of such instability on oil prices—which remained low throughout May—is also a critical factor to monitor."

Walsh further expressed optimism, noting that consumer confidence appears to be robust, with strong forward bookings for the upcoming peak summer travel season.

Air Cargo
In a separate update, IATA revealed that air cargo demand also saw growth, rising 2.2% year-over-year in May, despite ongoing trade disruptions.

Air cargo capacity, measured by available cargo ton-kilometers, expanded by 2% over the same period.

Walsh expressed optimism about the sector's resilience, stating that the overall growth was a positive sign, especially considering the 10.7% decline in traffic along the Asia-to-North America trade route, which highlighted the impact of changing US trade policies.

He continued, "Even as these policies evolve, already we can see the air cargo sector’s well-tested resilience helping shippers to accommodate supply chain needs to flexibly hold back, re-route, or accelerate deliveries."

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