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

• Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 3.3% compared to March 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.3% year-on-year. The March load factor was 80.7% (-1.6 ppt compared to March 2024).

• International demand rose 4.9% compared to March 2024. Capacity was up 7.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.9% (-1.7 ppt compared to March 2024).

• Domestic demand increased 0.9% compared to March 2024. Capacity was up 2.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.0% (-1.3 ppt compared to March 2024).

Regional Breakdown - International Markets 

International RPK growth slowed to 4.9% in March year-on-year from the 5.9% reported for February and from the 12.5% reported in January. This slowdown since January reflects in large part the final normalization of year-on-year demand comparisons post-COVID. Asia-Pacific was the strongest performer among regions with 9.9% growth. Load factors fell in every region, for a -1.7 ppt overall decline.

Domestic Markets

Domestic air travel posted a marginal 0.9% gain, weighed down by declines in the US and Australian markets. Brazil and India reported the strongest growth at 8.9% and 11.0% respectively. Meanwhile, Australia (-1.2%) and the US (-1.7%) reported declines. The load factor fell -1.3 ppt as domestic capacity expanded 2.5%.