Iata Reports Strong Growth In African Passenger Demand With Load Factors Steadily Improving

While Africa’s international load factor in October remained well below the global average at 74,1%, it also saw a 1,4 percentage point increase year-on-year, coming second only to the Middle East, IATA revealed in its October 2025 Air Passenger Market Analysis.

African airlines saw a 7,3% year-on-year increase in international travel demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, and capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, was up 5,3% compared with October 2024. Africa’s growth in demand and capacity exceeded the increases recorded in September.

Total global demand increased by 6,6% compared with October 2024 and capacity rose by 5,8% year-on-year. The October load factor was 84,6%, representing an increase of 0,7 percentage points year-on-year.

Global international demand saw an increase of 8,5% compared with October 2024. Capacity was up 7,1% year-on-year and the load factor was 84,6%, representing a 1,1 percentage point increase compared with October 2024.

"October was a strong month for air travel with demand up 6,6% on the previous year. The trends for the rest of the year look encouraging: scheduled seat capacity in November is set to expand 3,6% and in December by 4,7%. This points to strong demand for holiday travel and businesses looking to complete deals by the end of the year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.  

“Considering the uncertainty in the economic outlook for 2026, the resilience of demand for air travel, with the jobs and growth it brings, is a bright spot that governments should nurture with care.”