June 1, 2026
Middle East war leads to 3.4% fall in global air passenger demand in April
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) in April was down -3.4% compared to April 2025. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 48.1% year-on-year decrease in demand. Excluding the Middle East, demand increased by 1.2%.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased -2.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.1% (-0.4 ppt compared to April 2025).
International demand fell -5.3% compared to April 2025. Excluding Middle East, demand grew by 1.9%. Capacity was down -5.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (-0.2 ppt compared to April 2025).
Domestic demand was flat compared to April 2025. Capacity increased 0.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.9% (-0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).
"The 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%. 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." said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.
Source: IATA