October was a “strong month” for global air travel, with demand up 6.6% over the previous year, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Among other results:

• Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.8% year over year. The October load factor was 84.6% (up 0.7 percentage points compared with October 2024).
• International demand rose 8.5% compared with October 2024. Capacity was up 7.1% year over year, and the load factor was 84.6% (up 1.1 percentage points compared with October 2024).
• Domestic demand increased 3.4% compared with October 2024. Capacity was up 3.6% year on year. The load factor was 84.6% (down 0.1 percentage point compared with October 2024). The US domestic market returned to modest growth after two months of contraction.
• North American carriers saw a 4.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.7% year on year, and the load factor was 84.2% (down 0.1 percentage point compared with October 2024). The transatlantic corridor expanded by 3.8% year over year in October, a modest improvement over September’s 3.3% increase.

Willie Walsh, director general, said that “of particular note” was the 4.5% international traffic growth for carriers based in North America, which comes after several months of “basically flat” performance.

The trends for the rest of the year look encouraging, according to IATA. Scheduled seat capacity in November is set to expand by 3.6% and in December by 4.7%. This points to strong demand, said the report, for holiday travel and businesses looking to complete deals by the end of the year. Considering the uncertainty in the economic outlook for 2026, said the report, “the resilience of demand for air travel, with the jobs and growth it brings, is a bright spot that governments should nurture with care.”