Total demand in April 2025, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased by 8.0% compared to the same month last year. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), rose by 6.5% year-on-year, with a load factor of 83.6%, marking an increase of 1.1 percentage points from April 2024.
International travel demand saw a significant rise of 10.8% compared to April 2024, with capacity up by 8.5% and a record load factor for April at 84.1%. Domestic demand also grew by 3.3%, with capacity increasing by 3.1% and a load factor of 82.7%.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, commented on the growth: “April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand which saw record load factors for the month." He noted the encouraging return of growth in the transatlantic market but pointed out some concerns: "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."