The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published data for global passenger demand for January 2025, showcasing a remarkable growth of 10% in terms of revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs).

Key Highlights

• Year-on-year total capacity increased by 7.1%.
• Load factor reached an unprecedented 82.1%, marking an all-time high for January.

International & Domestic Demand

• International demand surged by 12.4% compared to January 2024, with a capacity increase of 8.7% and a load factor of 82.6%.
• Domestic demand rose by 6.1%, and capacity was up by 4.5% year-on-year, leading to a load factor of 81.2%.

Regional Analysis

IATA Director-General Willie Walsh noted a robust growth trajectory, especially among airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. He stated:

“The record high load factors are a testament to the ongoing supply chain challenges facing the aerospace sector.”
“Satisfaction levels are remarkably high, with nearly 80% of travelers affirming that air travel is reasonably priced.”

Market Performance Overview

International markets around the globe recorded growth in January 2025 compared to the previous year, with the Asia-Pacific regions exhibiting particularly robust demand:

• Asia-Pacific: Demand grew by 21.8% year-on-year, load factors reached 86.7%.
• Europe: Noted an 8.6% increase in demand.
• Middle East: Recorded a 9.6% demand growth.
• Overall, all markets with the exception of Latin America showed positive growth in passenger numbers.

Domestic Market Insights

The domestic RPK growth of 6.1% was especially pronounced in India, Japan, and China, propelled by record travel for the Lunar New Year. Load factors in this sector reached 81.2%.