Business travel Daily · Wednesday, 28 October 2026
TRAVELVISTA
IATA: Global airline payment costs to reach $24.5 billion in 2025
IATA data shows that in 2025 global airlines will process $1.05 trillion in sales, incurring $24.5 billion in payment costs, up 10.4% from 2023, higher than the 7.7% increase in sales over the same period. Payment costs growing faster than sales means cost pressure is rising for travel buyers and TMCs on card payments and corporate travel payment solutions, requiring attention to payment rates and settlement methods.
Payments and expense management
IATA PressroomFirst partyIATA: Global airline payment costs to reach USD 24.5 billion in 2025
On October 27, 2026, IATA released data showing that in 2025 global airlines processed USD 1.05 trillion in sales, generating USD 24.5 billion in payment costs, up 10.4% from 2023, higher than the 7.7% increase in sales over the same period. The average cost per transaction was USD 5 per passenger, of which payment fees were USD 20.7 billion, accounting for 84.5%, and the average card payment rate was 2.53%. IATA said it is promoting payment efficiency improvements through IATA Pay, IFG and a new corporate travel payment solution. On October 28, at the World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium in Macau, IATA proposed that the aviation industry needs to translate digitalization progress in retail, payment and digital identity into more efficient passenger journeys and stronger financial resilience; currently 7 airlines have launched or implemented Orders, with more than 20 expected to follow starting in 2027, and IT suppliers' investment in Offers and Orders has exceeded USD 1.7 billion. On the same day, Web in Travel also reported the above digital value priorities proposed by IATA at the Macau summit.