A strong summer in the northern hemisphere saw the global airline sector achieve increased capacity and revenue despite a marginal dip in load factor.

Latest figures released by IATA last week for July revealed growing year-on-year demand, particular for international flying.

The global industry body reported that total demand (revenue passenger kilometres RPK), was up 4% compared to July 2024.

Total capacity (available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 4.4% while load factor in July was 85.5% (down 0.4 percentage points compared to July 2024).

International demand for the month rose 5.3% year-on-year while capacity was up 5.8%, and the load factor was 85.6%.

Domestic demand increased 1.9% compared, capacity was up 2.4% and load factor was 85.2%.

Willie Walsh, IATA director general said: “It’s been a good northern summer season for airlines. Momentum has grown over the peak season with July demand reaching 4% growth.

“That trend appears across all regions and is particularly evident for international travel, which strengthened from 3.9% growth in June to 5.3% in July.

“Moreover, with flight volumes showing a 2% year-on-year increase for September after five months of decelerating growth, airlines are positioned to take advantage of this market momentum into the coming months.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

International RPK growth reached 5.3% in July year-on-year, but load factors fell in all regions except Africa.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 8.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8% (down 0.2 ppt compared to July 2024).

European carriers had a 4.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.3% (down 0.2 ppt compared to July 2024).

North American carriers saw a 2.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.4% (down 1.0 ppt compared to July 2024).

International traffic routes for the Americas were all positive except for traffic between North America and South America which declined 0.8%.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity rose by  5.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1% (down 0.2 ppt compared to July 2024). Middle East growth rebounded after the disruptions caused by the military conflict in June.

Latin American airlines saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.8% (down 1.6 ppt compared to July 2024). Intra-regional traffic was particularly strong.

African airlines saw a 2.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 2.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.9% (up 0.4 ppt compared to July 2024). Traffic on routes between Africa and Asia had a notable surge.

Domestic Passenger Markets

Domestic RPK rose 1.9% over July 2024 and load factor fell by 0.4 ppt to 85.2% on the back of a 2.4% capacity expansion. Brazil was once again the strongest performer. Japan’s 81.4% load factor is a record high for July since at least the year 2000.