IATA: US, China lead global passenger markets; South Africa dominates African skies

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the latest edition of its World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), offering a comprehensive, data-driven autopsy of global aviation demand, supply, and operational performance through to 2025.

The annual report, which tracks the industry’s financial performance, global fleets, and major traffic corridors, underscores a stabilising global market alongside explosive pockets of growth in emerging regions.

According to the IATA data, the United States maintained its crown as the world’s largest passenger market, handling a staggering 890.1 million passengers (both arriving and departing) in 2025.

However, signs of market saturation are evident: the US recorded the slowest year-on-year growth among the world’s top 10 markets, up just 1.6% from 2024.

Outside the traditional aviation strongholds, several emerging markets witnessed unprecedented surges in passenger volumes.

Kazakhstan led the global pack with a spectacular 40.0% year-on-year surge, flying 18.1 million passengers in 2025.

Uzbekistan welcomed 12.5 million passengers, marking a solid 16.9% increase from 2024. Vietnam continued its upward economic trajectory in Southeast Asia, logging 80.9 million passengers—a 14.8% year-on-year jump.

The 2025 data also highlights a massive structural shift in airline fleet deployment over the last six years, driven primarily by sustainability goals and fuel efficiency.

Newer-generation, twin-engine wide-bodies have effectively taken over long-haul skies. Airbus A350 flight frequencies skyrocketed, recording a massive 117.4% increase in flights compared to 2019, while the Boeing 787 Dreamliner maintained strong carrier favouritism, with flights up 40.8%.

The iconic A380 double-decker continues its gradual sunset, operating 24.4% fewer flights in 2025 than in the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2019.

The latest IATA data reveals an industry transitioning from post-pandemic recovery into a highly strategic growth phase.

While mature Western markets are reaching a plateau, infrastructure investments and demand in Central Asia and parts of Africa are reshaping the global aviation map, even as airlines consolidate their fleets around highly efficient single-aisle and next-gen wide-body aircraft.