Africa leads cargo growth as passenger demand holds steady — IATA

October 30, 2025 in Business, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Africa’s aviation sector continued to show resilience in September 2025, with the continent’s airlines recording the strongest growth in global air cargo demand and maintaining solid gains in passenger traffic, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

African carriers posted a 5.3 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand, supported by improving intra-African connectivity and renewed international travel. Capacity rose by 5.1 percent, while the passenger load factor improved slightly to 74.7 percent — a 0.1 percentage point rise compared to the same month last year. The region’s airlines held a 2.2 percent share of the global passenger market, signalling continued recovery momentum and network expansion across key regional hubs.

Globally, total air passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased by 3.6 percent compared to September 2024, while capacity expanded by 3.7 percent. The average global load factor stood at 83.4 percent, just 0.1 points below last year’s level, reflecting continued strength in international travel despite supply chain bottlenecks.

“Solid international demand drove 90 percent of September’s overall growth,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Airlines are gearing up for continued expansion into the year-end holiday season despite ongoing constraints in the supply chain.”

Asia-Pacific carriers led global performance with a 7.4 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand, buoyed by a 9.4 percent surge in intra-Asia travel, particularly between China and Japan. The Middle East followed with 6.3 percent growth, while Latin American airlines expanded by 5.3 percent. European carriers saw a 4.0 percent rise, and North American airlines recorded a modest 2.5 percent increase. Africa’s 5.3 percent growth placed it ahead of several mature markets, although its load factor of 74.7 percent remains the lowest globally, reflecting ongoing challenges in yield optimization and fleet deployment.

Domestic air travel remained subdued, rising just 0.9 percent year-on-year. Brazil continued to outperform with double-digit growth, while the U.S. domestic market contracted by 1.7 percent, posting the weakest load factor among major markets.

In the cargo segment, Africa was again the standout performer. The continent’s airlines registered a 14.7 percent year-on-year increase in airfreight demand — the strongest globally — while capacity expanded by 7.4 percent. This lifted Africa’s cargo load factor to 44.4 percent, cementing its growing importance in global logistics. Africa accounted for 2 percent of total global air cargo traffic, driven by robust trade activity with Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Worldwide, air cargo demand rose by 2.9 percent year-on-year, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth. Capacity expanded by 3.0 percent as the sector adapted to evolving trade flows shaped by shifting U.S. tariff policies. Willie Walsh noted that while many had feared a downturn in global trade, air cargo had instead proven remarkably adaptable, redirecting capacity to emerging corridors such as Asia–Africa and Asia–Europe.

IATA’s analysis indicated that the global goods trade grew by 3.7 percent in August, while jet fuel prices rose 5.4 percent in September due to tighter diesel markets despite lower crude oil prices. Manufacturing sentiment also strengthened, with the global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising for a second consecutive month to 51.3, signalling renewed confidence in global production.

Looking ahead, IATA expects both passenger and cargo markets to maintain their upward trajectory into the final quarter of 2025. Growth is expected to be supported by resilient international demand, improving fleet availability, and steady trade activity. However, the association cautioned that risks remain, particularly from volatile fuel prices, tariff uncertainties, and aircraft delivery delays.