Global Passenger and Cargo Traffic Growth Slows in September 2025
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air transport activity showed moderated growth in September 2025, indicating a slowdown in both passenger and cargo markets after months of steady expansion.
Passenger Traffic Trends
Passenger traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), increased by 3.6% year-on-year in September, down from 4.6% growth in August. The overall Passenger Load Factor (PLF) was 83.4%, slightly below 83.5% recorded a year earlier.
- All regions experienced weaker growth.
- North American carriers saw a 0.1% year-on-year decline.
- Domestic air travel growth slowed to 0.9%, impacted by decreases in the United States and India.
- International passenger traffic rose 5.1% year-on-year.
- Asia-Pacific airlines led global growth with a 7.4% increase.
Capacity expansion remained steady, with flight schedules expected to grow 3.0% year-on-year in November, suggesting continued but moderated activity heading into the year's final quarter.
Cargo Traffic Trends
The air cargo market maintained growth but with further deceleration. Global air freight demand, measured in Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (CTK), grew 2.9% year-on-year, which is 1.1 percentage points below August’s growth rate.
- International CTK increased by 3.2%.
- Africa showed the fastest growth at 14.7%.
- Asia-Pacific registered a 6.9% increase.
"Global air transport activity showed moderated growth in September 2025, signaling a slowdown in both passenger and cargo markets after months of steady expansion." — IATA
Author's summary: Global air traffic growth eased in September 2025, reflecting tempered passenger and cargo demand amid steady but slower expansions across key regions worldwide.