Geneva: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today released data for April 2026 global passenger demand, highlighting a significant impact from the Middle East conflict on air travel.
According to Emirates News Agency, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), fell by 3.4% compared to April 2025. When excluding the Middle East, demand actually increased by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased by 2.9% year-on-year. The load factor stood at 83.1%, slightly down by 0.4 percentage points from the previous year.
International demand saw a 5.3% decrease compared to April 2025, largely attributed to the situation in the Middle East. Excluding this region, international demand grew by 1.9%. Capacity was down by 5.1% year-on-year, with a load factor of 83.9%, a minor decrease of 0.2 percentage points.
Domestic demand remained flat compared to April 2025, with a slight capacity increase of 0.8% year-on-year. The load factor for domestic flights was 81.9%, a decrease of 0.7 percentage points from the previous year.
Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, commented on the situation, noting a 46.6% fall in demand for Middle Eastern carriers due to the ongoing conflict. This considerable decrease was the primary reason for the overall 3.4% decline in demand. The volatility in the air transport sector was further exacerbated by the doubling cost of jet fuel, leading to higher airfares and a reduced forward schedule as airlines attempt to balance costs and demand.
The data also revealed regional variations. Asia-Pacific airlines experienced a 3.0% increase in demand year-on-year, with capacity rising by 0.7% and achieving a record-high load factor of 87.5%. European carriers reported a 0.9% increase in demand, with capacity up by 0.3% and a load factor of 84.9%. Traffic between Europe and Asia surged by 15.3%, as it bypassed the Middle East.
North American carriers showed no change in demand year-on-year, with a 1.1% decrease in capacity but a load factor increase to 83.9%. Middle Eastern carriers faced a significant 48.1% drop in demand, with capacity falling by 38.4% and a load factor of 70.1%, impacted by the Iran conflict despite a recent ceasefire.
In contrast, Latin American airlines achieved an 8.9% increase in demand, with capacity up by 7.2% and a load factor of 84.6%. African airlines saw a 2.2% increase in demand, with a 1.2% rise in capacity and a load factor of 77.9%.