Global air travel demand grew moderately this June, and the U.S. saw the first signs of domestic market growth after four months of consecutive declines, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total air travel demand, which is measured in revenue passenger kilometers, increased 2.6 percent from June 2024. International demand rose overall 3.2 percent, with domestic demand increasing at a slower rate, at 1.6 percent.
Total demand in May, by comparison, rose 8 percent, while international travel demand surged 10.8 percent from the year before.
Latin America saw the greatest increase in international demand, with 9.3 percent growth from last June. This region is followed by Asia-Pacific, which grew 7.2 percent overall and Europe, which grew 2.8 percent.
North America’s international demand, as has been typical this year, fell 0.3 percent from last June. The region was joined by the Middle East in reporting declines—the war in Gaza has led to a 0.4 percent decrease in demand. African airlines also saw a 0.3 percent decrease.
The United States’ domestic travel demand increased 0.1 percent from last June, marking the first increase in four months.
“In June, demand for air travel grew by 2.6%. That’s a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh. “With demand growth lagging the 3.4% capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels.
“At 84.5% globally, however, load factors are still very strong. And with a modest 1.8% capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the Northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs.”
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
