Global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), surged by 4% last month when compared to July 2024, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

 

Middle East growth rebounded after the disruptions caused by the military conflict in June. The regional 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% (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024), stated IATA in its statement. 

 

Giving a regional breakdown, IATA said the international RPK growth hit 5.3% in July year-on-year, but load factors fell in all regions except Africa. 

 

The Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 8.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8% (-0.2 ppt compared to July 2024). 

 

European carriers had a 4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.3% (-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% (-1.0 ppt compared to July 2024). 

 

Domestic demand increased 1.9% compared to July 2024. Capacity was up 2.4% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.2% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).

 

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% (-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.

 

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

 

Lauding the positive growth, IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh 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," he stated. 

 

International demand rose 5.3% compared to July 2024. Capacity was up 5.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024), he added.-TradeArabia News Service