Region leads global air traffic growth in June

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The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region recorded the fastest growth in international air traffic worldwide in June, according to the latest Air Passenger Market Analysis from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

International traffic for the region grew 9.3 per cent year-on-year, outpacing all other global markets. IATA noted that strong demand for flights in and out of the LAC region, coupled with the capacity to meet it, made it the only region where growth accelerated compared to May. It is also the first time since May 2022 that Asia-Pacific has not led global growth.

Globally, however, air passenger traffic recorded its slowest growth of the year. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose just 2.6 per cent compared to June 2024—the lowest year-on-year increase in 2025. IATA attributed the slowdown partly to disruptions caused by military conflict in the Middle East and the June 12 crash of Air India Flight 171, which temporarily reduced capacity between India and North America.

While routes between Europe and South America are seeing high demand, the report flagged a decline in traffic between North America and Central America. North American carriers posted a 0.3 per cent drop in international demand year-on-year despite a 2.2 per cent increase in capacity.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh remained optimistic heading into the peak July–August travel period.

“At 84.5 per cent globally, load factors are still very strong,” he said in a July 31 media release.

“And with a modest 1.8 per cent capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the Northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs.”