GENEVA — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a decline in global air passenger demand in April 2026, as ongoing conflict in the Middle East sharply impacted regional carriers and weighed on worldwide traffic figures.

According to IATA, total global demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), fell 3.4% year over year in April, while total capacity declined 2.9%. The global load factor reached 83.1%, down 0.4 percentage points compared to April 2025.

Excluding the Middle East, however, global demand would have increased 1.2%, underscoring the significant effect the regional conflict had on the industry’s overall performance.

International demand declined 5.3% year over year, while domestic demand remained flat.

“The 46.6% fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down -3.4%,” said Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA.

“The situation for air transport remains highly volatile. The cost of jet fuel more than doubled in April, which is pushing airfares up. Forward schedule data is showing a reduced offering in the coming months, indicating that airlines are balancing high fuel costs and weaker demand.”

MIDDLE EAST IMPACT

Middle Eastern carriers experienced the steepest declines globally, with demand down 48.1% year over year in April. Capacity in the region fell 38.4%, while load factor dropped 13.1 percentage points to 70.1%.

According to IATA, traffic in the region continued to be affected by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, though the organization noted that the pace of decline eased slightly compared to March as a ceasefire came into effect.

The broader impact of the conflict was also visible in changing global traffic flows. IATA noted that direct traffic between Europe and Asia increased 15.3% year over year as travellers increasingly bypassed Middle Eastern transit hubs.

MIXED REGIONAL PERFORMANCE

Outside the Middle East, most international regions recorded growth in April.

Asia Pacific carriers posted a 3.0% increase in international demand year over year, while capacity rose 0.7%. The region achieved an April record load factor of 87.5%.

However, IATA noted a slowdown on the Japan-China corridor amid ongoing political tensions.

European carriers saw demand increase 0.9% year over year, alongside a 0.3% increase in capacity. Load factor reached 84.9%.

North American carriers reported flat international demand, while capacity decreased 1.1% year over year. Load factor improved slightly to 83.9%.

Latin American airlines delivered some of the strongest results globally, with international demand rising 8.9% and capacity increasing 7.2%. The region’s load factor climbed to 84.6%.

African carriers also posted gains, with demand increasing 2.2% and capacity up 1.2% year over year.

DOMESTIC PASSENGER MARKETS

Domestic passenger demand globally remained unchanged compared to April 2025, though results varied considerably by market.

Growth in Brazil, China and Japan helped offset declines in Australia, India and the United States.

Japan recorded one of the strongest domestic demand increases at 3.7%, despite capacity declining for the eighth consecutive month.

Meanwhile, domestic demand in the United States fell 0.6%, while India saw a 2.9% decline.

China’s domestic market continued to post moderate growth, with demand increasing 1.2% year over year and load factor reaching 84.2%.

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