Global Passenger and Cargo Traffic Growth Slows in September: IATA
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air transport activity experienced moderated growth in September 2025, indicating a slowdown in both passenger and cargo markets after months of steady expansion.
Passenger Traffic Trends
Worldwide passenger traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), grew by 3.6% year-on-year, slower than the 4.6% recorded in August. The industry-wide Passenger Load Factor (PLF) reached 83.4%, slightly below the 83.5% level of the previous year.
- All regions showed softer growth rates.
- North American airlines recorded a 0.1% annual decline in traffic.
- Domestic travel grew only 0.9% year-on-year, as both the U.S. and India registered drops in RPK.
- International passenger traffic rose 5.1%, with Asia-Pacific carriers leading at 7.4%.
Capacity expansion stayed stable, and flight schedules are projected to increase by 3.0% year-on-year in November, indicating sustained but slower activity heading into the last quarter of 2025.
Cargo Market Developments
The air cargo market continued to grow but at a slower rate. Global air freight demand, measured in Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (CTK), increased by 2.9% year-on-year, 1.1 percentage points lower than August’s pace.
- International CTK increased 3.2% year-on-year.
- African carriers led global growth at 14.7%.
- Asia-Pacific airlines followed with a 6.9% increase.
“The data for September 2025 suggests moderated momentum in both passenger and cargo sectors, consistent with broader signs of stabilized global demand.” — IATA
Author’s Summary
Air travel and freight markets cooled in September 2025, as IATA data points to slower demand growth across regions despite continued positive momentum.