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The International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS) has published data corresponding to global passenger demand for February 2026.
Passenger traffic grew in January
Next, We present the highlights of the monthly industry report:
- Total demand (RPK): There was an increase in 6,1% compared to February 2025.
- Total capacity (ASK): It increased a 5,6% in year-on-year terms.
- Load factor: It was located in the 81,4% (+0,3 percentage points compared to February 2025), marking the highest figure ever recorded for a month of February.
Global market grew in February
- International market: Demand grew 5,9% compared to February 2025. For his part, capacity increased by 5,3% year-on-year and the load factor reached 80,5% (+0,5 pp).
- Domestic market: Demand increased by 6,3% compared to the previous year. Capacity increased by 6,2% year-on-year and the load factor was 82,8% (+0,1 pp).
“With an expansion of the RPK of the 6,1%, February was a strong month that demonstrated the fundamentals for demand growth were in place for a positive year. Nevertheless, without knowing the duration and intensity of the war in the Middle East, It is impossible to quantify the full impact it will have on airlines' prospects.. Even so, some things are already clear: fuel costs have risen sharply; with tight capacity and narrow margins, airfares are already increasing. Capacity deployment is also being adjusted, especially for traffic towards, from or through the Middle East, or in areas where fuel supply is a problem. Capacity growth scheduled for March, for instance, has been moderated to 3,3%, compared to previous predictions that exceeded 5%”, declared Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
Regional breakdown
The growth of the international RPK reached 5,9% in February compared to the same month last year, with an especially strong performance in Latin America. For his part, Asia traffic benefited from Lunar New Year travel demand. Traffic between Europe and Asia was particularly robust (+14%), especially on routes that connect Asia with Spain and Italy.
Next, Key metrics detailed by region:
- Asia-Pacific Airlines: They achieved a year-on-year increase of 8,6% on the demand, while capacity increased by 7,3%. Its load factor closed in 86,6% (+1,0 pp compared to February 2025).
- Europe operators: They recorded an increase in 5,0% in the demand and 4,5% in the capacity. The load factor was at 75,6% (+0,4 pp).
- North American Airlines: They saw a growth in demand for 5,0% facing an increase of just 2,4% in the capacity. The load factor reached 80,9% (+2,0 pp).
- Middle East companies: They reported a slight increase in 0,9% on the demand, while capacity rose by 3,8%. The load factor fell to 79,6% (-2,2 pp).
- Latin American Airlines: They led growth with a rebound in 13,5% in the demand and 9,3% in the capacity. The load factor rose to 85,0% (+3,1 pp).
- Africa Operators: They recorded an increase of 4,8% in the demand and 6,6% in the capacity. The load factor was 74,5% (-1,3 pp).
What will happen in the coming months? Only war will tell…
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