Global air passenger demand experienced a 3.4% year-on-year decline in April 2026, as reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This decrease was mainly attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), fell by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2025.
The total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), also saw a decline of 2.9% during this period. The global load factor stood at 83.1%, showing a 0.4 percentage point decrease from the previous year. IATA highlighted that the reduction in travel demand for Middle Eastern carriers significantly contributed to this downturn.
Excluding the Middle East region, global passenger demand would have actually increased by 1.2% in April. International passenger traffic witnessed a 5.3% year-on-year drop, with capacity also decreasing by 5.1%. However, if Middle Eastern airlines are excluded, international demand grew by 1.9% during the same period.
Willie Walsh, the Director General of IATA, noted that the Middle East region experienced a substantial decline in passenger demand, plummeting by 48.1% in April. This decline was accompanied by a 38.4% decrease in capacity, leading to a sharp drop in the load factor to 70.1%. The conflict in the region significantly impacted air traffic, although there was a slight moderation in the decline following an uneasy ceasefire.
