Global air passenger demand grows 5% in May

ISTANBUL

Total air passenger demand around the globe was up 5% in May 2025 on a yearly basis, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday.

Total air capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, was also up 5% over the same period.

The load factor was at 83.4% in May, down 0.1 percentage points versus the same month last year.

In May, international passenger demand rose 6.7%, and domestic demand was up 2.1% on a yearly basis.

IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said: "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.

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

He added that consumer confidence appears to be strong with forward bookings for the peak northern summer travel season, giving good reason for optimism.

Air cargo

The IATA also said, in a separate press release on Monday, that total air cargo demand rose 2.2% year-on-year in May, despite trade disruptions.

Air cargo capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers, expanded by 2%.

Walsh said that the overall growth was encouraging news, as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia-to-North America trade lane illustrated the dampening effect of shifting US trade policies.

"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," he added.