Record Passenger Demand Intensifies Focus on Training Capacity at EATS 2025

Global aviation hit a new milestone in August 2025, with passenger demand climbing 4.6% year-on-year and airlines achieving a record 86% load factor for the month, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The figures underscore a critical challenge facing the industry: how to scale training capacity to match relentless growth whilst maintaining safety standards.

The robust passenger numbers, driven by international travel, which accounted for 87% of the net increase in global revenue passenger kilometres, arrive as aviation training professionals prepare to gather at the 23rd European Aviation Training Summit (EATS 2025) in Cascais, Portugal, on 5-6 November.

"August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. 

"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."

The sustained growth trajectory presents immediate challenges for training organisations. With airlines planning 3.4% more capacity in October schedules, the demand for qualified pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel continues to outpace supply in many markets.

International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024, with particularly strong performance in Asia-Pacific markets, where demand increased 9.8% year-on-year. China and Japan led regional growth at 11.8% and 12% respectively. Latin American carriers saw 9% growth, whilst Middle Eastern airlines reported 8.2% increases.

European carriers, operating in the region where EATS 2025 will convene, recorded 5.3% year-on-year demand growth with capacity expanding at an identical rate—suggesting airlines are successfully matching supply to robust market demand.

Walsh emphasised that airlines are "doing their best to meet travel demand by maximising efficiency, making it even more critical for the aerospace manufacturing sector to sort out its supply chain challenges."

That efficiency imperative extends directly to training operations, where organisations must deliver higher throughput without compromising safety standards, a central theme expected to dominate discussions at EATS 2025.

The conference, taking place at the Estoril Congress Centre, will bring together airline training managers, ATO leaders, regulators, and technology providers to address how training infrastructure can scale sustainably to support continued industry expansion.