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The International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS) released data on global passenger demand in April 2026, which fell a 3,4%.
The total demand, measured in passenger-kilometers transported (RPK), decreased a 3,4 % with respect to April 2025. Excluding Middle East, demand increased by 1,2 %. The total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased a 2,9 % interannual. The load factor was 83,1 % (-0,4 percentage points compared to April 2025).
- International demand fell 5,3 % with respect to April 2025. Excluding Middle East, demand grew 1,9 %. Capacity decreased by 5,1 % year-on-year and the load factor was 83,9 % (-0,2 percentage points compared to April 2025).
- National demand remained stable compared to April 2025. Capacity increased by 0,8 % interannual. The load factor was 81,9 % (-0,7 percentage points compared to April 2025).
Demand fell in April 2026
«The fall of 46,6 % in airline demand in the Middle East, due to the war in the region, was so drastic that it dragged general demand into a decline in 3,4 %. The air transport situation remains very volatile. Jet fuel price more than doubled in April, which is causing an increase in airfares. Future programming data shows lower supply in the coming months, indicating that airlines are seeking a balance between high fuel costs and lower demand., declared Willie Walsh, General Director of the THERE IT IS.
| April 2026 (% year-on-year) |
World share1 | RPK | ASK | PLF (%-pt) | PLF (level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market | 100% | -3.4% | -2.9% | -0.4 | 83.1% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 2.8% | 2.0% | 0.6 | 77.7% |
| Asia Pacific | 34.4% | 1.7% | 0.7% | 0.9 | 85.1% |
| Europe | 26.7% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 0.4 | 85.4% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 5.4% | 5.0% | 4.3% | 0.5 | 82.9% |
| Middle East | 9.5% | -46.6% | -37.2% | -12.5 | 70.6% |
| North America | 21.8% | -0.3% | 0.3% | -0.5 | 81.5% |
International passenger markets
The international RPK decreased by 5,3%, with a drop in the capacity of the 5,1%. Nevertheless, This decline was due to the continued sharp decline in demand from Middle East airlines.. Excluding Middle East, RPK increased by 1,9%. North America remained stable and the rest of the regions registered growth.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a year-on-year increase in demand for the 3,0%. Capacity increased by 0,7% year-on-year and the load factor was 87,5% (+1,9 percentage points compared to April 2025), an all-time high for April. Notable traffic slowdown observed on Japan-China corridor due to ongoing political tensions.
European airlines recorded a year-on-year increase in demand for 0,9%. Capacity increased by 0,3% year-on-year and the load factor was 84,9% (+0,6 percentage points compared to April 2025). Direct traffic between Europe and Asia increased by 15,3% by replacing the traffic that transited through the Middle East.
North American airlines recorded a year-on-year increase in demand for 0,0%. Capacity decreased by 1,1% year-on-year and the load factor was 83,9% (+0,9 percentage points compared to April 2025).
Middle East airlines experienced a year-on-year decline in demand for the 48,1%. capacity fell by 38,4% year-on-year and the load factor was 70,1% (-13,1 percentage points compared to April 2025). Traffic was affected by the war in Iran, although the decline slowed slightly compared to March, after the entry into force of a fragile ceasefire.
Latin American airlines achieved a year-on-year increase in demand for 8,9%. Capacity increased by 7,2% interannual. The load factor was 84,6% (+1,4 percentage points compared to April 2025). African airlines recorded a year-on-year increase in demand for 2,2 %. capacity grew by 1,2 % interannual. The load factor was 77,9 % (+0,7 percentage points compared to April 2025).
Domestic markets
The number of passenger kilometers transported in the domestic market remained stable in April compared to April 2025. The growth in Brazil, China and Japan was offset by falls in Australia, India and USA. Load factors decreased in most major markets, except for China and Japan, although it should be noted that capacity in the Japanese market has decreased for eight consecutive months.
| April 2026 (% year-on-year) |
World share1 | RPK | ASK | PLF (%-pt) | PLF (level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 37.2% | 0.0% | 0.8% | -0.7 | 81.9% |
| Dom. Australia | 0.8% | -0.4% | 3.8% | -3.4 | 79.8% |
| Dom. Brazil | 1.2% | 2.6% | 4.5% | -1.5 | 79.6% |
| Dom. China P.R. | 11.3% | 1.2% | 0.9% | 0.2 | 84.2% |
| Dom. India | 1.7% | -2.9% | 2.3% | -4.3 | 81.6% |
| Dom. Japan | 1.0% | 3.7% | -1.4% | 3.7 | 74.7% |
| Dom. US | 13.6% | -0.6% | 1.0% | -1.2 | 79.6% |
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