Global air passenger demand fell 3.4 per cent year-on-year in April 2026, marking a sharp slowdown, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The decline was largely attributed to the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, declined 3.4 per cent compared to April 2025, while total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers dropped 2.9 per cent. Global load factor stood at 83.1 per cent, down 0.4 percentage points from the year-ago period.
IATA said the downturn was largely caused by a steep collapse in travel demand for Middle Eastern carriers. Middle Eastern airlines recorded the steepest decline among all regions, with passenger demand plunging 48.1 per cent year-on-year in April. However, excluding Middle Eastern airlines, international demand grew 1.9 per cent.
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