Kuala lumpur: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recorded a 4.6 percent growth in total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), for August this year. Its Director General Willie Walsh highlighted that the year-on-year growth set a new record for the 2025 peak northern summer travel season, with planes operating at a record load factor of 86 percent.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend continues, with October schedules indicating airlines are planning a 3.4 percent increase in capacity. Airlines are striving to meet travel demand by maximizing efficiency, emphasizing the need for the aerospace manufacturing sector to resolve its supply chain issues.

The aviation body further reported that international demand rose 6.6 percent in August 2025 compared to the same month a year ago, achieving a historic high in load factor. International traffic was the primary driver of growth, co
ntributing 87 percent of the net increase in global RPK in August.

IATA noted that Asia-Pacific airlines experienced a 9.8 percent year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity rising by 9.5 percent year-on-year and a load factor of 85.1 percent. The growth was propelled by strong demand from China and Japan.