Global Passenger and Cargo Growth Slows in September
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air transport activity in September 2025 showed a moderated pace of growth after several months of steady expansion. Both passenger and cargo sectors recorded slower momentum, signaling tempered demand heading into the final quarter of the year.
Passenger Traffic Trends
Passenger traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), rose 3.6% year-on-year, compared to 4.6% in August. The industry-wide Passenger Load Factor (PLF) stood at 83.4%, slightly down from 83.5% in the same period last year.
All regions experienced weaker growth, with North American carriers showing a marginal 0.1% decline. Domestic travel expansion grew just 0.9% year-on-year as both the United States and India recorded lower RPK figures.
Regional and International Dynamics
International passenger traffic grew 5.1% year-on-year, with Asia-Pacific airlines leading at 7.4%. Capacity growth stayed stable, and global flight schedules are expected to increase by 3.0% year-on-year in November, suggesting moderated but ongoing market activity.
Cargo Market Moderation
The cargo sector maintained growth but displayed clearer signs of slowdown. Global air freight demand, measured in Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (CTK), increased by 2.9% compared to last year, down by 1.1 percentage points from August’s rate.
“International CTK rose 3.2%, with Africa leading at 14.7% and Asia-Pacific following with a 6.9% increase.”
Market Outlook
Despite continued expansion, the data indicates a cooling trend across major global air transport markets as the year approaches its end.
Author’s summary: Global air travel and freight growth lost momentum in September 2025, revealing a softer demand pattern across key regions as expansion slows worldwide.