International demand drives passenger growth in September

In releasing its global passenger demand date for September 2025, IATA indicated that solid international demand drove the growth for the month.

Highlights reveal that:

• Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 3.6% compared to September 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 3.7% year-on-year. The September load factor was 83.4% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).
• International demand rose 5.1% compared to September 2024. Capacity was up 5.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.6% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).
• Domestic demand increased 0.9% compared to September 2024. Capacity was up 1.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.0% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, observed: “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%.”

And Walsh continued: “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.”

Go to www.iata.org for more.