Global air travel demand rises 5.7% in November
Global demand for air travel grew by 5.7% in November 2025 compared with a year earlier, as airlines recorded record-high load factors despite ongoing aircraft supply constraints, according to new data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), outpaced capacity growth of 5.4%, pushing the global load factor to 83.7% - the highest ever recorded for November. International travel continued to drive growth, while domestic markets expanded at a more modest pace.
International passenger demand rose by 7.7% year-on-year, with capacity increasing by 7.1%. The international load factor climbed to a November record of 84.0%. Domestic demand increased by 2.7%, in line with capacity growth, leaving the domestic load factor unchanged at 83.2%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said strong demand persisted despite challenges in the aerospace supply chain. “Load factors reached a new record as airlines continued to meet growing passenger demand amid ongoing capacity constraints,” he said. Walsh added that aircraft manufacturers must increase production to address an order backlog of more than 17 000 aircraft accumulated in 2025.
Africa a growing market
Regionally, Africa was the fastest-growing market, with passenger demand up 12.6% year-on-year, supported by a 9.1% increase in capacity. Asia-Pacific airlines recorded demand growth of 7.8%, while Europe saw a 6.1% increase. The Middle East posted growth of 9.5%, while Latin America and the Caribbean rose 3.9%. North America lagged, with demand broadly flat at 0.1% and a decline in load factor.
In international markets, African airlines again led performance, recording an 11.2% increase in demand. Asia-Pacific carriers saw demand rise 9.3%, although geopolitical tensions slowed growth on some routes, including traffic between China and Japan. European airlines posted a 6.8% increase, while North American carriers recorded growth of 4.0%, alongside a tenth consecutive month of declining load factors. Middle Eastern and Latin American airlines reported demand growth of 9.6% and 4.4% respectively.
Domestic travel rose 2.7% globally, with Brazil and India emerging as the fastest-growing markets. The United States was the only major domestic market to record a decline in demand, which IATA suggested may be linked to the government shutdown.
IATA said the figures underline the aviation sector’s continued recovery and resilience, while highlighting the need for faster aircraft deliveries to sustain growth into 2026.
Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), outpaced capacity growth of 5.4%, pushing the global load factor to 83.7% - the highest ever recorded for November. International travel continued to drive growth, while domestic markets expanded at a more modest pace.
International passenger demand rose by 7.7% year-on-year, with capacity increasing by 7.1%. The international load factor climbed to a November record of 84.0%. Domestic demand increased by 2.7%, in line with capacity growth, leaving the domestic load factor unchanged at 83.2%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said strong demand persisted despite challenges in the aerospace supply chain. “Load factors reached a new record as airlines continued to meet growing passenger demand amid ongoing capacity constraints,” he said. Walsh added that aircraft manufacturers must increase production to address an order backlog of more than 17 000 aircraft accumulated in 2025.
Africa a growing market
Regionally, Africa was the fastest-growing market, with passenger demand up 12.6% year-on-year, supported by a 9.1% increase in capacity. Asia-Pacific airlines recorded demand growth of 7.8%, while Europe saw a 6.1% increase. The Middle East posted growth of 9.5%, while Latin America and the Caribbean rose 3.9%. North America lagged, with demand broadly flat at 0.1% and a decline in load factor.
In international markets, African airlines again led performance, recording an 11.2% increase in demand. Asia-Pacific carriers saw demand rise 9.3%, although geopolitical tensions slowed growth on some routes, including traffic between China and Japan. European airlines posted a 6.8% increase, while North American carriers recorded growth of 4.0%, alongside a tenth consecutive month of declining load factors. Middle Eastern and Latin American airlines reported demand growth of 9.6% and 4.4% respectively.
Domestic travel rose 2.7% globally, with Brazil and India emerging as the fastest-growing markets. The United States was the only major domestic market to record a decline in demand, which IATA suggested may be linked to the government shutdown.
IATA said the figures underline the aviation sector’s continued recovery and resilience, while highlighting the need for faster aircraft deliveries to sustain growth into 2026.
