African airlines recorded steady passenger traffic growth in July 2025, posting a 2.8% year-on-year increase in demand, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The region’s load factor rose to 74.9%, up 0.4 percentage points from July 2024, underscoring improved efficiency in seat utilization at a time when several other regions reported flat or declining performance.
A key driver of this growth was the surge in Africa–Asia traffic, reflecting stronger trade, investment, and tourism flows between the two regions. To meet this rising demand, African carriers expanded seat capacity by 2.3% year-on-year, a move that aligned with broader global capacity expansion but remained more disciplined compared to the double-digit increases seen in some markets.
Globally, passenger demand rose 4.0% in July, while available seat capacity increased 4.4%, resulting in an average industry-wide load factor of 85.5%. International travel continued to outperform domestic markets, fueled by long-haul connectivity and the easing of operational bottlenecks.
Regional highlights included:
• Latin America led growth with a 9.3% increase in demand, but capacity outpaced traffic at 11.3%, nudging load factor down to 85.8%.
• Asia-Pacific carriers saw 8.7% growth in demand, supported by trans-Pacific and Europe–Asia routes. Capacity grew 9.0%, leaving load factor steady at 83.8%.
• Europe posted a balanced performance with 4.0% demand growth and a load factor of 87.3%, the second-highest globally.
• North America experienced a modest 2.4% growth, but maintained the world’s top load factor at 88.4%, reflecting exceptional aircraft utilization despite weaker North–South America flows.
• Middle Eastern carriers rebounded from June’s disruptions, recording 5.3% growth and an 84.1% load factor, reaffirming their position as vital connectors across continents.
While Africa’s 74.9% load factor still lags global averages, its year-on-year improvement highlights progress in operational efficiency. The region’s performance is particularly notable given structural challenges such as high operating costs, infrastructure constraints, and currency volatility that continue to weigh on African carriers.
Industry analysts suggest that sustained growth on intercontinental routes, particularly Africa–Asia and Africa–Middle East, could provide African airlines with new revenue opportunities. If airlines can balance disciplined capacity growth with service innovation, the sector may gradually close the utilization gap with global peers.
For now, July’s results reinforce a positive trajectory—Africa’s skies are steadily getting busier, signaling resilience and untapped potential in the region’s aviation market.
