The skies were busier than ever this February, according to the latest IATA report—but not all markets are flying high. Global air travel demand climbed 2.6% compared to last year, with international routes leading the charge at a healthy 5.6% growth. Airlines squeezed in more travelers too, pushing the worldwide load factor to 81.1%—that’s four extra butts in seats for every 100 compared to 2024.
Asia-Pacific, where demand skyrocketed 9.5% with planes flying nearly full at 85.7% capacity. Europe kept pace with 5.7% growth, while the Middle East saw more modest 3.1% gains. But it wasn’t all smooth flying—North America’s traffic dropped 1.5%, with the U.S. domestic market taking a 4.2% nosedive.
India’s aviation market, however, is on a tear—domestic traffic surged 13.2% with planes hitting 90.3% full. That’s a stark contrast to China’s 3.2% domestic slump, though the Lunar New Year calendar shift likely played spoiler.
IATA’s Willie Walsh sounded the alarm on two fronts: North America’s shrinking numbers and the EU’s proposed passenger compensation reforms. “Airlines shouldn’t foot the bill alone when airports or air traffic control cause delays,” he argued.
