African carriers in November posted the highest growth in international passenger demand, with volumes increasing 11.2 per cent year-on-year.

The data, recently released by the International Air Transport Association underscores Africa’s expanding role in global air travel.

It also highlights the continent’s capacity to attract rising cross-border passenger traffic despite ongoing challenges in the aviation industry.

The IATA report revealed that African airlines not only led global growth in international passenger demand but also boosted capacity to accommodate rising travel needs.

Available seat kilometers for African carriers grew 8.5 per cent year-on-year, while the load factor—the share of seats actually filled, rose to 74.3 per cent, up 1.8 percentage points from November 2024.

Although the overall load factor remained below that of other regions, Africa recorded the strongest growth in demand worldwide.

“African airlines were the stand-out performer, with an 11.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 8.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.3% (+1.8 ppt compared to November 2024),” the report read in part.

Overall, total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, rose 5.7 per cent year-on-year in November 2025, with total capacity increasing 5.4 per cent.

International traffic led the growth, climbing 7.7 per cent, while domestic travel grew 2.7 per cent.

The global load factor reached a record 83.7 per cent for November, reflecting strong demand despite persistent capacity constraints stemming from challenges in the aerospace supply chain.

While Africa led the growth charts, other regions showed mixed performance in November 2025.

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific saw demand rise 9.3 per cent year-on-year, with capacity up 8.7 per cent and a load factor of 85.8 per cent, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from November 2024.

European carriers recorded a 6.8 per cent increase in demand, with capacity up 6.1 per cent and a load factor of 85.6 per cent, also up 0.5 points. Middle Eastern airlines posted a 9.6 per cent rise in demand, capacity growth of 9.2 per cent, and a load factor of 81.4 per cent.

North American carriers recorded more modest growth, with demand rising 4.0 per cent and capacity increasing 4.2 per cent, while the load factor edged down slightly to 81.0 per cent, marking the tenth consecutive month of year-on-year decline.

Latin American airlines posted a 4.4 per cent increase in demand, capacity up 4.7 per cent, and a load factor of 83.9 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points from November 2024.

Commenting on the results, IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, noted that air travel demand continued to grow robustly in November 2025, with load factors reaching a new record of 83.7 per cent for the month.

“November 2025 saw continued strong demand for air travel with year-on-year growth of 5.7%. Load factors reached a new record of 83.7% for the month as airlines continued to satisfy growing passenger demand amid continuing capacity constraints stemming from challenges in the aerospace supply chain,” Walsh stated.