IATA reports record-breaking November passenger demand amid supply chain pressures

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced global passenger demand data for November 2025, revealing a record-breaking load factor and a 5.7% year-on-year increase in total demand.

Despite persistent aerospace supply chain challenges, airlines successfully managed a 5.4% increase in capacity, pushing the global load factor to an all-time November high of 83.7%.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, highlighted that while demand remains resilient, the industry is hitting a ceiling due to production delays. “November 2025 saw continued strong demand for air travel. Load factors reached a new record as airlines continued to satisfy growing passenger demand amid continuing capacity constraints stemming from challenges in the aerospace supply chain,” said Willie Walsh. “The new year’s resolution for the manufacturing sector must be to increase production. The backlog of more than 17,000 aircraft orders reached in 2025 must be reduced in 2026.”

International traffic led the growth, with most regions reporting healthy year-on-year gains:

• Africa: The month’s standout performer with an 11.2% increase in demand. Africa was the only region to see growth accelerate compared to October.

• Asia-Pacific: Demand rose 9.3%, though geopolitical tensions between China and Japan resulted in single-digit growth for that specific corridor for the first time this year.

• Middle East: Strong performance continued with a 9.6% increase in demand and a load factor of 81.4%.

• Europe: Carriers saw a steady 6.8% increase in demand, maintaining a high load factor of 85.6%.

• North America: Demand grew by 4.0%, but the region recorded its 10th consecutive month of year-on-year load factor decline, settling at 81.0%.

• Latin America: Traffic rose 4.4%, though capacity growth slightly outpaced demand, leading to a minor dip in load factor (-0.2 ppt).