Summer Bookings Boost African Airlines Demand By 9.5% In May

African airlines experienced a significant surge in passenger demand in May 2025, with a 9.5 per cent year-on-year increase in international air travel demand, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA released data for May 2025 global passenger demand showing that African airlines saw a 9.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand on summer bookings.

Capacity was up by  6.2 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 74.9 per cent (+2.2 ppt compared to May 2024). Africa-Asia is the fastest-growing international corridor, with an expansion of 15.9 per cent.

For global travel, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 5.0 percent compared to May 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was also up by 5.0 per cent year-on-year. The May load factor was 83.4 per cent (-0.1 ppt compared to May 2024).

International demand rose by 6.7 per cent compared to May 2024. Capacity was up by 6.4 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.2 per cent (+0.2 ppt compared to May 2024). This is a record load factor on international flights for May.

Domestic demand increased 2.1 per cent compared to May 2024. Capacity was up by 2.8 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 83.7 per cent (-0.5 ppt compared to May 2024).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general said Air travel demand growth was uneven in May, adding that globally, the industry reported five percent growth with Asia-Pacific taking the lead at 9.4 per cent.

“Severe disruptions in the Middle East in late June remind us that geopolitical instability remains a challenge in some regions as airlines maintain safe operations with minimal passenger inconvenience.

“The impact of such instability on oil prices—which remained low throughout May—is also a critical factor to monitor. Importantly, consumer confidence appears to be strong with forward bookings for the peak Northern summer travel season, giving good reason for optimism,” said Walsh.

International RPK growth reached 6.7 per cent in May year-on-year, with growth in all regions but a mixed picture on load-factors, which increased only by 0.2 ppt. Traffic expansion on most key international routes to the Americas slowed in May, apart from Transatlantic with a modest 2.5 per cent year-on-year increase.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 13.3 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 10.6 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.0 per cent (+2.0 ppt compared to May 2024).

European carriers had a 4.1 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.8 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.0 per cent (-0.6 ppt compared to May 2024).

North American carriers saw a 1.4 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 1.7 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.8 per cent (-0.3 ppt compared to May 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 6.2 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.3 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.9 per cent (-0.1 ppt compared to May 2024).

Latin American airlines saw an 8.8 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.0 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 83.6 percent (-1.7 ppt compared to May 2024).