Air passenger demand increased 7.1% year on year in October, according to the latest data from IATA. The airline association says international demand was up 9.5% and domestic demand was up 3.5%. Total capacity rose 6.1%, and load factor gained 0.8 percentage points to reach 83.9%. Capacity growth was led by Asia-Pacific and Latin America, with increases of 17.2% and 11.6%, respectively, while in other regions there were single-digit rises in capacity. Asia-Pacific airlines saw the highest growth in international traffic at 17.5%, followed by Latin American and African carriers at 10.9% and 10.4%, respectively. European carriers recorded 8.7% growth in international demand. North American carriers saw a 3.2% increase, while Middle Eastern airlines had the slowest growth at 2.2%. IATA adds that the USA showed a slight decline in domestic demand, while all other key domestic markets showed stable growth. It notes that the fast-growing Chinese domestic demand is being met with increased use of widebodies. "Continued strong and stable demand is good news, but just as important is the steady improvement in load factors," states IATA director general Willie Walsh. "It shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently."

SMBC Aviation Capital has delivered an Airbus A321neo LR to Icelandair, marking the airline's first Airbus aircraft acquisition in its 87-year history. The lessor says the aircraft (MSN 12213), equipped with IAE PW1133G-JM engines, is part of a larger agreement for five aircraft from SMBC's direct Airbus order. The delivery took place at Airbus's Hamburg facility. Three aircraft are scheduled for delivery before summer 2025, with two more planned for 2026.

Air France-KLM Group and Saudia have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their cooperation in passenger transport and aircraft maintenance. The carrier says the agreement, signed at the Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, includes expanded codeshare arrangements and significant maintenance commitments. Air France Industries-KLM Engineering & Maintenance will receive at least 50% of Saudia's GE90 engine maintenance work, with plans to localise module assembly operations. The airlines will explore establishing a joint venture for GEnx engine maintenance. Air France-KLM currently operates up to 10 weekly flights to Saudi Arabia, including new direct services to Jeddah from Paris-Orly and Lyon via Transavia France.