Global air passenger demand rose 4.6% year on year in August, figures from IATA show, and load factor rose 0.1 percentage points to a record 86%. Load factor was highest in Europe, at 87.9%, followed by Asia-Pacific at 85.9% and North America at 85.6%. Latin America and the Caribbean as a region had a load factor of 85%. The Middle East's was 83.8% and Africa's 80.2%. However, there was some evidence of weak performance in North America, where load factor declined by a percentage point. Meanwhile, its revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) grew just 0.5%, compared with 4.6% globally, as capacity in available seat kilometres (ASK) was lifted 1.6%, against 4.5% worldwide. Meanwhile, demand in the US domestic market declined 0.2%, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year contraction in load factor. "August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high," states IATA director general Willie Walsh. "Moreover, planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%. Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend shows no signs of abating, as October schedules are showing airlines planning 3.4% more capacity." International traffic was the primary driver of growth, accounting for 87% of the net increase in global RPKs. Total ASK capacity was increased 4.5%. Asia-Pacific's carriers led international growth with a 9.8% year-on-year increase in RPKs, supported by strong demand from China and Japan. Middle Eastern airlines had an 8.2% rise, while for Latin America and Africa there were gains of 9% and 7.1%, respectively. European carriers had a 5.3% increase, and North American airlines a more modest one of 1.8%. Domestic traffic grew 1.5% year on year, contributing just 13% of the global increase in RPKs – down from 25% a year earlier. Brazil led domestic growth with a 13% increase, supported by government efforts to stimulate tourism, followed by Japan with 6%. IATA noted that airlines are planning a 3.4% increase in capacity for October, indicating continued confidence in demand.

Lufthansa Group has outlined a plan to simplify and modernise its long-haul fleet in a bid to improve profitability. The German group says it intends to phase out Airbus A340s, A330-200s, Boeing 747-400s, 767s and 777-200s by 2028 at the latest. Lufthansa mainline, Swiss and Zurich-based leisure carrier Edelweiss operate A340-300s today. Lufthansa additionally has A340-600s and 747-400s. Austrian Airlines has 767-300s and 777-200s, while A330-200s are operated by German leisure carrier Discover Airlines and by Italy's ITA Airways. Under its new plan, Lufthansa will also phase out its A330-300s by 2030, but that variant will remain in service with Brussels Airlines, Discover and Swiss. Lufthansa's A380s appear in the future fleet plan, too. The group stresses, however, that the superjumbo's fleet role from 2030 is "yet to determined". With the planned arrival of on-order 777-9s and A350-1000s, Lufthansa expects to operate six different long-haul aircraft variants from 2030 – or five without A380s. This includes in-service A350-900s, 787-9s and 747-8s. Lufthansa's long-haul fleet comprises eight variants today. Beyond the decision about the A380's future, the group is studying potential introduction of A350-900s at Discover and whether Brussels Airlines will receive A350-900s or 787-9s. Swiss will operate long-haul flights with in-service 777-300ERs, A330-300s and incoming A350-900s, while Austrian's widebody fleet will be entirely comprised of 787-9s. ITA will be the group's sole A330-900 operator and additionally have A350s, the fleet plan shows. Lufthansa says fleet simplification will reduce operational complexity in maintenance, crewing and the provisioning of reserve aircraft. The group is scheduled to receive more than 230 aircraft (narrow- plus widebodies) by 2030. It notes that all new aircraft are being delivered at group standard specification, to enable interchangeability across operators and hubs.

Spirit Airlines' new vice-president of network planning is beginning his tenure by suspending about 40 routes in November and ceasing service to two cities. Andrea Lusso – who began his career as an intern with Spirit and gained a decade of route, network and enterprise planning at rival JetBlue Airways – told staff in a 26 September internal memo that the network adjustments "include multiple routes that are seasonal or only operate on certain days of the week". He adds that Spirit is discontinuing service to Hartford, Connecticut on 31 October and to Minneapolis on 1 December. Schedules data shows that Spirit currently operates flights from Hartford to Nashville, Fort Lauderdale and Myrtle Beach. From Minneapolis, it operates flights to Atlanta and had been scheduled to start daily services to Detroit in December. "While we previously reduced our presence at these airports, these decisions were still difficult, and we are incredibly grateful for our team members and partners at both stations," says Lusso. "We'll continue to make our routine schedule and network adjustments, but do not anticipate any additional airport exits in the near future." Before joining Spirit in September, Lusso was principal, supply chain and network design for Amazon Air. Spirit is restructuring under Chapter 11 for a second time and said earlier this month it was furloughing about 1,800 flight attendants from 1 December.