The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights:

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year. The August load factor was 86.0% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month.

 International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).

Domestic demand increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).

Regional Breakdown - International markets 

International RPK growth reached 6.6% in August year-on-year, and load factor reached a historic high. International traffic was by far the dominant driver of growth, accounting for 87% of the net increase in global RPK in August. 

Domestic markets

Domestic RPK rose 1.5% over August 2024 and contributed only 13% of the global increase in August RPK, down from 25% a year ago. US domestic load factor fell YoY for the eighth consecutive month. The sharp expansion in Brazil was helped by government efforts to promote tourism.