African airways document 9.5% progress in worldwide passenger visitors, lead in load issue positive aspects — IATA 

African airways recorded a 9.5% year-on-year improve in worldwide air journey demand in Could 2025, marking one of many strongest performances globally, based on the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA).

Whereas the Asia-Pacific area led in general demand progress, African carriers posted the best enchancment in load issue, rising by 2.2 proportion factors to 74.9%, essentially the most important seat occupancy acquire amongst all areas.

A key driver of this progress was the sharp improve in visitors on the Africa–Asia hall, the place demand surged 15.9% year-on-year, making it the fastest-growing worldwide route worldwide for the month.

To assist this rising demand, African carriers expanded their capability by 6.2%, successfully aligning seat provide with passenger progress and avoiding oversupply challenges.

“African airways noticed a 9.5% year-on-year improve in demand. Capability was up 6.2% year-on-year. The load issue was 74.9% (+2.2 ppt in comparison with Could 2024). Africa-Asia is the fastest-growing worldwide hall, with an growth of 15.9%,” the IATA report learn partially.

Globally, worldwide passenger demand grew by 6.7% in Could 2025, with capability rising 6.4%, bringing the general worldwide load issue to 83.2%, a brand new document for the month of Could. Throughout worldwide and home markets, international air journey demand and capability every rose by 5.0% in Could, whereas the common load issue edged down barely to 83.4%.

IATA’s Director Basic, Willie Walsh, noticed that air journey progress in Could was uneven throughout areas, with Asia-Pacific main general and Africa demonstrating notable power in worldwide markets. He cautioned that geopolitical instability, significantly within the Center East, stays a key danger, though oil costs remained low all through the month.

However, robust ahead bookings for the Northern Hemisphere summer season sign continued restoration, with Africa’s efficiency reflecting a broader upward development supported by rising demand, stronger intercontinental connectivity, and extra environment friendly airline operations.

Extra insights 

Past African airways, different areas additionally recorded various levels of progress in worldwide air journey throughout Could 2025. Asia-Pacific led globally, with a 13.3% improve in demand and a ten.6% rise in capability, leading to a load issue of 84.0%, up 2.0 proportion factors in comparison with Could 2024.

• Latin American carriers noticed worldwide demand rise by 8.8%, however with a sharper 11.0% improve in capability, their load issue dropped to 83.6%, reflecting attainable overcapacity within the area.
• Within the Center East, each demand and capability rose at an identical tempo—6.2% and 6.3%, respectively—leaving the load issue practically unchanged at 80.9%, down barely by 0.1 proportion level.

European airways skilled a 4.1% progress in demand and a 4.8% rise in capability, which resulted in a load issue of 84.0%, a slight decline of 0.6 proportion level year-on-year.

In the meantime, North America posted the weakest efficiency amongst all areas. Worldwide demand rose by simply 1.4%, whereas capability elevated 1.7%, inflicting the load issue to fall to 83.8%, a 0.3 proportion level drop from Could 2024.