African air travel hits record 75.3% load factor in 2025 amid US$11B industry cost pressures – IATA

AFRICA – Africa’s air travel sector achieved a record annual load factor of 75.3% in 2025, driven by a 9.4% surge in passenger demand, according to IATA.

However, this growth unfolds against severe global supply chain pressures, estimated by IATA to have imposed over US$11 billion in additional costs on airlines worldwide, constraining the region’s full aviation and tourism potential.

Strong Demand Clashes with Capacity Constraints

The 9.4% rise in demand (RPKs) outpaced an 8.3% increase in capacity, pushing the continent’s load factor to its highest-ever level, though it remains the lowest globally.

International traffic for African airlines grew by 7.8%.

The momentum peaked in December, with demand up 12.8% year-on-year.

Yet, this positive trajectory is hampered by persistent aircraft and engine delivery delays and limited maintenance slots, forcing airlines to extend the service life of existing fleets and limiting their ability to add new routes and frequencies to match the soaring passenger interest.

New Routes Forge Vital Tourism Corridors

Despite these industry-wide challenges, carriers continue to build critical connectivity. 

Such connections are fundamental for dispersing visitor flows, promoting regional tourism circuits, and stimulating hospitality investment beyond major hubs.

A Critical Juncture for Aviation-Led Tourism Growth

The record load factor demonstrates robust underlying demand, providing a solid foundation for the continent’s hospitality sector.

However, the sector stands at a critical juncture.

The US$11 billion cost burden highlights systemic vulnerabilities that, if unaddressed, will continue to cap growth, keeping fares higher and networks less robust than demand warrants.

For Africa’s tourism economy to fully capitalize on this growth, resolving these supply chain and infrastructure constraints is imperative.

Success will enable airlines to optimize networks further, improve reliability, and help close the gap with the global load factor record of 83.7%, ensuring that aviation becomes a more powerful and sustainable engine for continental tourism development.

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