Global air travel demand was up 5.7% year over year in November, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 5.4% year on year. The load factor was 83.7% (up 0.3 percentage points 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% (up 0.4 percentage points compared with November 2024).

Domestic demand increased 2.7% compared with November 2024. Capacity was up 2.7% year on year. The load factor was 83.2% (unchanged compared with November 2024).

Willie Walsh, director general, said, “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 was reached in 2025, he said, “must be reduced in 2026.”

North American carriers saw a 4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.2% year on year, and the load factor was 81% (down 0.1 percentage point compared with November 2024). Total traffic in North America has seen 10 consecutive months of year-on-year decline in load factor.