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The International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS) has released the global results of the air traffic corresponding to June 2026, revealing a contrasting scenario for the aeronautical industry.
While the passenger sector experienced a slight overall contraction driven by macroeconomic factors and regional tensions, The air cargo market maintained solid growth that exceeded world trade levels..
Passengers in general descent
Total passenger demand, measured in kilometers of paid passengers (RPK), recorded a drop in 1.7% in june 2026 compared to the same month 2025. overall capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased a 1.3%, placing the load factor at a 84.2%, which represents a reduction of 0.4 percentage points.
The Director General of the THERE IT IS, Willie Walsh, noted that this contraction responds mainly to declines in key domestic markets such as China, USA and Japan, plus a still weak recovery in the Middle East. Walsh warned that renewed geopolitical tensions and the continued impact of fuel prices continue to pressure costs and affect airfares.
Analysis by Region
- Africa: African airlines experienced an increase in 3.8% on the demand, with an increase in capacity 4.7% and a load factor 73.9%.
- Pacific Asia: Demand decreased by 2.0% due to cuts in regional routes by several airlines due to rising fuel prices. The load factor remained stable in the 83.1%.
- Europe: Passenger traffic grew 0.8%, highlighting the Europe-Asia corridor with an increase in 11.0%, the fastest among major international routes. The occupation reached 87.5%.
- Latin America and the caribbean: The region's airlines reported growth in 1.5% on the demand, accompanied by an expansion of capacity of the 3.9%, placing the occupation in the 81.2%.
- middle East: It continued to suffer the consequences of regional conflicts with a drop in 13.9% on the demand. However, the pace of contraction was halved compared to the previous month thanks to the gradual normalization of operations.
- North America: Traffic recorded a decrease of 1.1%, with a capacity that was reduced in the same proportion and a load factor of 86.1%.
Air cargo with solid growth
In contrast to the passenger sector, The global air cargo market showed a very positive evolution during June 2026. The demand, measured in ton-kilometers load (CTK), increased a 8.5% interannual, outpacing global trade growth, which was located in the 5.2%.
Global cargo capacity grew by 4.4%, which allowed increasing the load load factor (CLF) on 1.7 percentage points until reaching the 46.9%.
«Freight demand growth exceeded capacity globally and in all regions, driven by high-value technology products and express shipments», highlighted Willie Walsh. Nevertheless, The manager warned of persistent risks in the second half of the year, among which stand out hostilities in the Middle East and the renewed focus on tariff policies by the United States.
Regional load performance
- North America: Led global growth with an increase in 13.1% on load demand, the highest figure of all regions.
- Pacific Asia: recorded an increase in 7.9%, consolidating itself as one of the main drivers of commercial flows, especially on routes to North America.
- Europe: European airlines experienced an increase in 6.9% on the demand.
- middle East: It reported a growth of 5.6%, although this result reflects a very low comparison base due to the interruptions suffered in June 2025.
- Africa: Cargo traffic increased by 4.7%, despite a contraction of 7.1% in the available capacity.
- Latin America and the caribbean: It showed a growth of 3.5% on the demand, with a capacity expansion of 9.8%.
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