Global Air Travel Sees Modest Growth in March While Capacity Outpaces Demand: IATA

Global Air Travel Sees Modest Growth in March While Capacity Outpaces Demand: IATA

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 5, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a 3.3% year-on-year increase in global air passenger demand for March 2025. This modest growth marks an improvement from the 2.7% rise recorded in February. However, the report also reveals that available passenger capacity surged by 5.3%, resulting in a global load factor decline to 80.7%, a 1.6 percentage point drop compared to the same period last year.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, addressed the shift, noting the importance of monitoring the widening gap between demand and capacity. “March numbers continued to show a global pattern of growth for air travel. That means the challenges associated with accommodating more people who need to travel—specifically alleviating supply chain problems and ensuring sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity—remain urgent,” he said.

Regional Trends

Among the global regions, Asia-Pacific carriers led international traffic growth with a 9.9% increase in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK). Latin America followed with a 7.7% rise, while European carriers saw a steady 4.9% growth. In contrast, international RPKs declined in the Middle East and North America by 1.0% and 0.1%, respectively. IATA suggested that the Middle East’s performance may have been influenced by Ramadan.

Domestic air travel showed slower progress with a 0.9% overall increase. The United States saw a 1.7% decline in domestic demand, and Australia reported a 1.2% drop. However, this was offset by strong performance in emerging markets. India experienced an 11.0% rise in domestic travel, Brazil posted an 8.9% increase, and Japan followed closely with an 8.0% gain. Notably, India recorded a domestic load factor of 83.3%, highlighting strong local demand.

Load Factor Overview

Load factors, a key efficiency metric, dropped across most regions. Asia-Pacific had the highest international load factor at 84.1%, while the Middle East had the lowest at 74.6%. For domestic markets, Japan stood out with an 84.4% load factor, whereas Africa’s international routes reported the lowest at just 71.5%.

IATA attributed the slowdown in international RPK growth—from 12.5% in January to 4.9% in March—to the diminishing effects of post-COVID recovery comparisons. While the aviation sector continues to show resilience, economic uncertainties and ongoing infrastructure challenges remain areas of concern.

Despite these headwinds, the long-term outlook for the industry remains optimistic. IATA stressed the need for continued efforts in resolving air traffic bottlenecks and improving infrastructure to meet the rising demand for global air travel.


Archies and District by Zomato Team Up to Elevate India’s Going-Out Culture

Archies and District by Zomato Team Up to Elevate India’s Going-Out Culture

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2025

Archies, one of India’s most recognised gifting brands, has joined forces with District by Zomato, the dedicated going-out app, to offer consumers a seamless, rewarding way to celebrate everyday moments and special occasions. The collaboration integrates Archies' curated in-store offers into the District app’s ‘Stores’ tab, making gift discovery and shopping easier and more engaging.

The partnership reflects Archies' commitment to reaching new customer touchpoints while enhancing value and convenience. “At Archies, we are constantly exploring meaningful ways to connect with our customers across emerging touchpoints,” said Varun Moolchandani, Executive Director, Archies. “This collaboration with District by Zomato aligns with our vision to reach newer audiences, increase brand recall, and offer convenience-led value. We believe this association will play a key role in driving footfalls and boosting customer retention.”

Through the District app, users will gain access to exclusive deals and special product selections from Archies’ physical outlets, especially around key celebrations such as Valentine's Day, Mother’s Day, and Friendship Day. These offers can be discovered digitally and redeemed in-store using an integrated payment feature, blending online convenience with offline shopping.

This strategic tie-up is expected to open up new customer segments for Archies while enhancing the app experience for District users. Together, the brands are working to redefine India’s going-out culture by combining celebration with ease, connection, and value.


CG Hospitality’s Wellness Retreat Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Eyes India Entry

CG Hospitality’s Wellness Retreat Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Eyes India Entry

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2025

CG Hospitality, a global hospitality brand, is partnering with Marriott International to bring its iconic wellness retreat, The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines, under Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This marks the brand’s first Autograph Collection property in the Philippines and adds a fresh dimension to CG Hospitality’s expanding global footprint.

Set across 52 acres of lush greenery in Batangas, The Farm is known for its holistic healing experiences and luxurious villas. The resort will officially become part of the Autograph Collection by the end of Q3 2025. This collaboration positions The Farm alongside Marriott’s unique and independently styled properties worldwide, including Grand Universe Lucca in Italy and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of notable figures like the First Lady of the Philippines, Louise Araneta-Marcos, and Tourism Assistant Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, signaling the resort’s importance in enhancing wellness tourism across Southeast Asia.

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Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director and CEO of CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Holdings, shared, “This collaboration strengthens our commitment to wellness and experiential hospitality. By combining our expertise with Marriott’s global reach, The Farm at San Benito will set new standards in luxury wellness. We look forward to bringing this concept to India soon.”

This strategic move is part of CG Hospitality’s broader expansion plan under its ‘Vision 2025.’ The company has over 120 operational hotels in India and continues to sign around 30 new properties each year. The Indian market holds special significance, and CG Hospitality plans to bring its modern wellness model to the country in alignment with India’s ambition to emerge as a global wellness destination.

The upgraded resort will offer 70 accommodations, including pool villas, wellness facilities, a spa, a medical wellness center, and event spaces for both leisure and corporate guests.

Marriott Asia Pacific’s President, Rajeev Menon, added, “With wellness emerging as a key driver of travel decisions, this is a timely entry for us. The Philippines offers the perfect setting for our Autograph Collection brand, and we’re excited to expand further.”

CG Hospitality’s long-standing presence in India through partnerships with brands like IHCL’s Taj, Fern Hotels, and Jetwing has made it a recognized name in luxury and mid-market hospitality. Its parent company, CG Corp Global, also owns FMCG brand Wai Wai and operates across 32 countries with a diverse business portfolio.

The collaboration between CG Hospitality and Marriott marks more than just a business move—it signals a growing trend in wellness travel. With eyes set on India, the stage is being set for a fresh chapter in luxury wellness experiences, made accessible to a wider audience.


Vardhman Amrante Announces ₹1,350 Crore Push for Punjab’s Real Estate

Vardhman Amrante Announces ₹1,350 Crore Push for Punjab’s Real Estate

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2025

Vardhman Amrante, a flagship venture from the Oswal Group, is all set to reshape Punjab’s real estate sector with an ambitious ₹1,350 crore investment. Spread over the next three years, the initiative targets Ludhiana and other rapidly growing urban pockets, aiming to create a fresh narrative for the state's urban development.

This investment will power a wide range of real estate ventures including commercial, residential, hospitality, industrial, and allied projects. With a strong financial backbone and a forward-looking approach, the group is positioning itself to contribute meaningfully to Punjab’s infrastructure, economy, and service ecosystem.

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Speaking about the vision, Adish Oswal, Chairman and Managing Director of the Oswal Group, shared, “Our vision goes beyond building spaces; we aim to craft destinations that reflect the bold aspirations of a new Punjab. Over the next decade, we are committed to redefining the region’s urban blueprint through high-end residential and commercial developments, setting new benchmarks for quality and innovation. With this approach, we aspire to establish Vardhman Amrante as the most preferred and trusted real estate brand in Punjab.”

Vardhman Amrante holds the distinction of being Ludhiana’s first organised and professional real estate player, committed to shaping Punjab’s identity as a destination of aspiration. With a line-up of quality-driven projects, the company is helping position Punjab as a magnet for both lifestyle-focused and business-oriented development.

This large-scale investment underscores the Oswal Group’s belief in Punjab’s strong growth potential and echoes the state’s vision of modern, inclusive urbanisation. Through this, Vardhman Amrante is not just building real estate, but contributing to a bolder, more dynamic future for the region.

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