Global Passenger and Cargo Traffic Growth Slows in September: IATA
Global air transport activity recorded a slower pace of growth in September 2025, signaling easing momentum in both passenger and cargo markets after several months of expansion, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Passenger Traffic Trends
Passenger traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), increased by 3.6% year-on-year, down from 4.6% in August. The industry-wide Passenger Load Factor (PLF) stood at 83.4%, just below the 83.5% from the same month last year.
- All regions recorded weaker growth in September.
- North American carriers saw a slight 0.1% year-on-year decline.
- Domestic air travel rose only 0.9%, with both the United States and India posting declines in RPK.
- International passenger traffic grew by 5.1%, led by Asia-Pacific airlines at 7.4%.
Capacity growth remained steady, and flight schedules are forecast to expand by 3.0% year-on-year in November, suggesting continued but moderated activity toward the end of 2025.
Cargo Market Performance
The air cargo segment also showed slower progress, maintaining growth but at a more subdued pace. Global air freight demand, measured in Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (CTK), rose 2.9% year-on-year, which was 1.1 percentage points below August’s rate.
- International CTK increased by 3.2%.
- Africa led all regions with a 14.7% rise.
- Asia-Pacific followed with 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,” — International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Author’s Summary
Air traffic and cargo growth cooled in September 2025, reflecting a broader deceleration in travel and logistics demand as the year’s momentum slowed.