African Airlines Record 2.8% Rise in Demand for Air Travel

African airlines saw a 2.8% year-on-year increase in demand with capacity up 2.3% year-on-year. This is according to the data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for July 2025 global passenger demand. The highlights are below:

• Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.0% compared to July 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.4% year-on-year. The July load factor was 85.5% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).

• International demand rose 5.3% compared to July 2024. Capacity was up 5.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).

• Domestic demand increased 1.9% compared to July 2024. Capacity was up 2.4% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.2% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).

“It’s been a good northern summer season for airlines. Momentum has grown over the peak season with July demand reaching 4% growth. That trend appears across all regions and is particularly evident for international travel, which strengthened from 3.9% growth in June to 5.3% in July.

Moreover, with flight volumes showing a 2% year-on-year increase for September after five months of decelerating growth, airlines are positioned to take advantage of this market momentum into the coming months,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Regional Breakdown - International Passenger Markets 

International RPK growth reached 5.3% in July year-on-year, but load factors fell in all regions except Africa. 

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 8.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8% (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024). 

European carriers had a 4.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.3% (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024). 

North American carriers saw a 2.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.4% (-1.0 ppt compared to July 2024). International traffic routes for the Americas were all positive except for traffic between North America and South America which declined 0.8%. 

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity rose by  5.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1% (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024). Middle East growth rebounded after the disruptions caused by the military conflict in June.

Latin American airlines saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.8% (-1.6 ppt compared to July 2024). Intra-regional traffic was particularly strong.

African airlines saw a 2.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 2.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.9% (up 0.4 ppt compared to July 2024). Traffic on routes between Africa and Asia had a notable surge.

Domestic Passenger Markets

Domestic RPK rose 1.9% over July 2024 and load factor fell by 0.4 ppt to 85.2% on the back of a 2.4% capacity expansion. Brazil was once again the strongest performer. Japan’s 81.4% load factor is a record high for July since at least the year 2000.