Kuala Lumpur: Global passenger demand rose 8.0 per cent in April 2025 compared to the same month last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, IATA stated that total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), increased by 6.5 per cent year-on-year, while the load factor rose 1.1 percentage points to 83.6 per cent.

International demand experienced a 10.8 per cent increase year-on-year, with capacity up by 8.5 per cent. The international load factor reached 84.1 per cent, marking an increase of 1.7 percentage points from April 2024, and setting a new record for the highest load factor ever recorded for April.

Meanwhile, domestic demand grew by 3.3 per cent compared to April last year, with capacity rising by 3.1 per cent. The domestic load factor stood at 82.7 per cent, showing a slight increase of 0.1 percentage point.

IATA director general Willie Walsh noted that April was a positive month for travel, with growth strengthening, especially in international demand, which saw record load factors for the month. He highlighted the return of the transatlantic market to growth as particularly encouraging. However, Walsh pointed out signs of fragility in consumer and business confidence, citing continued weakness in the United States domestic market and a notable decline in North American premium class travel.