Global Air Travel Demand Keeps Growing, But North American Load Factor Declining
by Bruce Parkinson
The International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2025 global passenger demand, and while the numbers are good, there are warning signs in North America as load factor declined for the 10th consecutive month.
Total global demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 5.7% compared to November 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 5.4% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.7% (+0.3 ppt compared to November 2024), a record high for November.
North American carriers saw a 4.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 81.0% (-0.1 ppt compared to November 2024). Looking at total traffic, North America has seen 10 consecutive months of year-on-year decline in load factor.
International demand rose 7.7% compared to November 2024. Capacity was up 7.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.0% (+0.4 ppt compared to November 2024).
Domestic demand increased 2.7% compared to November 2024. Capacity was up 2.7% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.2% (unchanged compared to November 2024).
“November 2025 saw continued strong demand for air travel with year-on-year growth of 5.7%,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
But he added a note of caution: “The new year’s resolution for the manufacturing sector must be to increase production to meet the needs of their airline customers. The backlog of more than 17,000 aircraft orders that we reached in 2025 must be reduced in 2026.”
