African Airlines Report 13.6% Yearly Demand Increase in April 2025: IATA
Global air travel demand rose 8% in April 2025, with African airlines posting 8.9% capacity growth and a 76.3% load factor.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2025 global passenger demand, reporting total demand (measured in RPKs) was up 8.0% compared to April 2024.
Total capacity (ASK) was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the April load factor reached 83.6% (+1.1 ppt compared to April 2024).
International demand rose 10.8% compared to April 2024, with capacity up 8.5% year-on-year, resulting in a load factor of 84.1% (+1.7 ppt compared to April 2024), the highest ever for April.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, noted: “The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel.”
Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets
Africa
African airlines recorded a 13.6% year-on-year increase in passenger demand. Capacity rose by 8.9% year-on-year, while the load factor was 76.3% (+3.1 ppt compared to April 2024).
Middle East
Middle Eastern carriers saw an 11.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.1% (+3.4 ppt compared to April 2024).