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The International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS, for its acronym in English) presented data on global passenger demand corresponding to July 2026.
The report highlights a slight growth in air traffic during the peak of the northern hemisphere summer season, driven mainly by the dynamism of markets such as Europe, Latin America and Africa.
Air traffic grew slightly in July 2026
The total demand, measured in passenger-kilometers transported (RPK), recorded an increase in 0,2 % compared to July 2025. By excluding the Middle East region from the analysis, Global growth was at 1,2 %. For his part, the total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), grew a 0,3 % interannual, placing the global load factor at 85,2 % (-0,1 percentage points compared to the previous year).
In the international segment, demand fell 0,1 % general, although excluding Middle Eastern airlines there is an increase in 1,5 %. The domestic market grew 0,6 % an RPK, driven by the positive performance of China and Brazil.
Marie Owens Thomsen, executive vice president of sustainability and chief economist of THERE IT IS, he pointed:
«The peak summer travel season in the northern hemisphere leaves a mostly positive balance for air transport. The global growth of 0,2 % in July was achieved despite collective year-on-year declines in operators in North America and the Middle East. It stands out that traffic in the Gulf connection centers maintains its recovery trajectory. Although high fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions persist, airlines show confidence in demand for the last part of the year with an expansion close to 3 % in seating capacity for September ».
International market performance by region
- Europe: European airlines recorded an increase in 3,1 % in the demand and 3,2 % in capacity, reaching a load factor of 87,1 %. The international corridor between Europe and Asia stood out as the one with the greatest global expansion with an increase of 12,1 %.
- Latin America and the caribbean: International traffic grew by 7,1 % interannual, accompanied by an increase in the capacity of the 7,2 % and a load factor 85,7 %.
- Africa: International demand rose by 6,4 %, while capacity expanded by 9,0 %. The load factor was 74,1 %.
- Pacific Asia: Recorded an adjustment of -0,7 % in the demand and -1,7 % in the capacity, with a load factor of 84,5 % (+0,9 percentage points).
- North America: Demand decreased by 2,3 %, as well as the capacity (-2,3 %), maintaining an occupation 88,2 %. The transatlantic corridor fell 2,2 %, affected by traffic reductions from the UK, France and Spain.
- Middle East: Airlines in the region reported a drop in 9,5 % in the demand and 5,8 % in capacity, placing the load factor at 80,9 %, although the trend shows a moderation after the double-digit declines recorded at the beginning of the year.
Global Passenger Market Overview (July 2026)
| Mercado | World share (RPK) | RPK Growth (i.a.) | ASK Growth (i.a.) | Load factor |
| Total market | 100 % | 0,2 % | 0,3 % | 85,2 % |
| Africa | 2,2 % | 5,2 % | 7,3 % | 75,1 % |
| Pacific Asia | 34,4 % | 1,0 % | 0,3 % | 83,7 % |
| Europe | 26,7 % | 2,1 % | 2,3 % | 87,7 % |
| Latin America | 5,4 % | 6,1 % | 6,6 % | 85,3 % |
| Middle East | 9,5 % | -10,0 % | -6,2 % | 80,7 % |
| North America | 21,8 % | -1,2 % | -1,8 % | 87,3 % |
Domestic market outlook
The behavior of national markets was uneven. Brazil (+6,0 %) and China (+5,3 %) showed solid increases in passenger demand. By contrast, key markets suffered year-on-year contractions, headed by India (-6,3 %), USA (-0,5 %) and Australia (-0,5 %). Japan recorded a slight advance of 0,9 %.
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