Middle East airlines report modest growth in February: IATA

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 3.1 percent year-on-year increase in demand while capacity increased 1.3 percent year-on-year with the load factor at 81.9 percent, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for February 2025

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 2.6 percent compared to February 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 2 percent year-on-year.

The February load factor was 81.1 percent (+0.4 ppt compared to February 2024).

International demand rose 5.6 percent compared to February 2024. Capacity was up 4.5 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.2 percent (+0.9 ppt compared to February 2024).

Domestic demand fell 1.9 percent compared to February 2024. Capacity was down 1.7 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 82.6 percent (-0.2 ppt compared to February 2024).

“While traffic growth slowed in February, much of this can be explained by factors including the leap year, and the lunar new year falling in January compared to February last year. February traffic hit an all-time high, and the number of scheduled flights is set to continue increasing in March and April. But we need to keep a close eye on developments in North America, which saw falls in both domestic and international traffic,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“The recent shutdown of Heathrow reminded us once again that the current passenger rights regime in place in Europe and the UK is not fit for purpose. The annual costs of compensation, care, and assistance run into the billions,” said Walsh.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 9.5 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 8.3 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.7 percent (+0.9 ppt compared to February 2024).

European carriers had a 5.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 75.5% (+0.5 ppt compared to February 2024).

North American carriers saw a -1.5 percent year-on-year fall in demand. Capacity decreased -3.2 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 78.9% (+1.3 ppt compared to February 2024).

Domestic RPK fell -1.9% over the previous February. Load factors were almost flat (-0.2 ppt). Falling US consumer confidence may well have contributed to the -4.2% decline in domestic US traffic. India continued to see strong demand (+13.2%) with the load factor at 90.3% (+1.4 ppt compared to February 2024).