Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data showing positive momentum in both the passenger and cargo air transport sectors for March 2025. Despite external economic challenges and seasonal fluctuations, the global aviation market continues to recover.

Passenger Traffic

Global demand for passenger air travel, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), rose by 3.3% in March 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased by 5.3%, outpacing demand growth and resulting in a 1.6 percentage point drop in the load factor, which stood at 80.7%.

International routes saw a 4.9% rise in demand, while domestic routes experienced a modest growth of 0.9%.

While North America recorded a slight decline in demand, global passenger traffic remained on an upward trajectory. IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted that the rapid expansion of capacity ahead of demand highlights ongoing challenges with airport congestion and air traffic management.

Regional trends varied: the Asia-Pacific region led with 6.3% growth, followed closely by Latin America with 6.2%. Meanwhile, North America recorded a 1.1% decline in demand.

Cargo Traffic

The cargo segment also showed encouraging results. Total air cargo demand increased by 4.4% year-on-year in March 2025. International cargo traffic rose by 5.5%, marking a new record for the month. Capacity increased by 4.3%, indicating continued recovery in global supply chains.

However, regional performance was mixed. Africa posted the largest decline in demand at 13.4%, despite a rise in capacity. The Middle East also saw a 3.2% decline, potentially linked to reduced flight frequencies during Ramadan.

Asia-Pacific once again led the growth with a 9.3% increase in demand. Europe saw a 4.4% rise, while Latin America and North America maintained steady growth. Africa's continued downturn underscores the region’s challenges in rebounding from the pandemic's impact.

Economic Drivers

March 2025 benefitted from several key economic factors. Notably, jet fuel prices declined by 17.3%, marking the ninth consecutive month of decrease. Trade policy adjustments, including anticipated tariff hikes by the U.S., prompted businesses to expedite shipments, contributing to the surge in cargo volumes.

Additionally, global industrial output and trade volumes rose, while inflation fell in major economies such as the U.S., EU, and Japan — all of which created favorable conditions for the aviation sector.

Outlook

Experts forecast continued growth in both passenger and cargo air transport. However, sustainable progress will require improvements in infrastructure, enhanced air traffic management, and solutions to airport congestion. Overall, March’s figures confirm a resilient recovery trajectory, reinforcing the aviation industry’s vital role in the global economy.