Air passenger traffic worldwide reached record levels in May, despite rising airline costs driven by higher jet fuel prices.
New data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), increased 6.1 percent in May compared with the same month last year. This matched April’s year‑over‑year growth and indicates continued strong travel demand.
“May was another solid month in terms of demand growth. As had been expected, we saw some moderation, as rising airline costs are reducing the stimulus from lower airfares. In particular, jet fuel prices are expected to be up nearly 26 percent this year compared to 2017. Nevertheless, the record load factor for the month signifies that demand for air connectivity is strong,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.
International passenger traffic also rose, with demand up 5.8 percent in May. Among regions, Asia‑Pacific carriers reported the strongest expansion in demand.
IATA noted that passenger traffic in the Asia‑Pacific region has continued an upward trend on a seasonally adjusted basis, supported by solid regional economic growth and a wider range of route options for travelers. That combination has helped sustain higher load factors and persistent growth in RPKs across the region.
Despite the pressure from increasing fuel costs, airlines are filling more seats overall, reflecting resilient consumer demand for air travel. The higher load factors point to efficient use of capacity as carriers respond to both rising costs and growing passenger volumes.
Overall, the May figures underscore an aviation market that remains robust: demand is growing globally, international travel continues to expand, and the Asia‑Pacific region is a key driver of that growth, even as airlines face higher operating expenses.