Air Travel Passenger Growth Slowed in June, But Load Factors Still High
by Bruce Parkinson
Load factors remain at historic highs.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for June 2025 global passenger demand. Growth slowed during the month and capacity increased more than demand.
Here are some of the highlights:
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 2.6% compared to June 2024.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 3.4% year-on-year. The June load factor was 84.5% (-0.6 ppt compared to June 2024).
International demand rose 3.2% compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4% (-0.8 ppt compared to June 2024).
Domestic demand increased 1.6% compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.7% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).
“In June, demand for air travel grew by 2.6%. That’s a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“With demand growth lagging the 3.4% capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels. At 84.5% globally, however, load factors are still very strong. And with a modest 1.8% capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the Northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs.”
