African airlines recorded the strongest traffic performances in November, with demand up 11,2% year-on-year. Capacity was up 8,5% year-on-year and the load factor was 74,3% (a 1,8 percentage point increase compared with November 2024), according to IATA’s latest statistics.
Total demand across the globe, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 5,7% compared with November 2024, while total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), increased 5,4% year-on-year. The load factor was 83,7% (a 0,3 percentage point increase compared with November 2024) – a record high for November.
International demand rose 7,7% compared with November 2024. Capacity was up 7,1% year-on-year and the load factor was 84,0% (a 0,4 percentage point increase compared with last year).
“Load factors reached a new record of 83,7% for the month as airlines continued to satisfy growing passenger demand amid continuing capacity constraints stemming from challenges in the aerospace supply chain. The new year’s resolution for the manufacturing sector must be to increase production to meet the needs of their airline customers. The backlog of more than 17 000 aircraft orders that we reached in 2025 must be reduced in 2026,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
