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Global airline association’s data shows Asia-Pacific airlines led international air traffic growth in September
October 31st 2025
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2025 global passenger demand, showing that Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 7.4% year-on-year increase in demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK). Read More » It was the highest figure among all the regions in the world. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 6.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.3% (+1.0 ppt compared to September 2024). Intra-Asia travel was the strongest driver of growth with a 9.4% increase, led primarily by traffic from China and Japan, IATA said. Globally, total demand was up 3.6% compared to September 2024. Total capacity was up 3.7% year-on-year. The September load factor was 83.4% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024). “Solid international demand drove 90% of September’s 3.6% overall growth. Importantly, the capacity expansion slightly nudged ahead of demand growth at 3.7%. Load factors, nonetheless, remained very strong at 83.4%. With November flight schedules indicating a 3% expansion on the previous year, airlines are gearing up for continued growth into the year-end holiday season. This is despite the severe constraints of unresolved supply chain issues,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
