- Total market RPK decreased 3.4pc year on year.
- Middle East carriers experienced a 46.6pc demand fall.
- Asia Pacific recorded 3.0pc demand growth.
- European demand increased 0.9pc.
- Domestic RPK showed 0.0pc change.
The global air passenger market has recorded mixed results in April 2026 according to IATA data. Total demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres fell by 3.4pc year on year while capacity decreased by 2.9pc. The load factor reached 83.1pc.
International RPK declined by 5.3pc with the Middle East region showing a 46.6pc drop due to regional conflict. Excluding the Middle East international demand rose by 1.9pc. Asia Pacific carriers reported a 3.0pc increase in demand and a record April load factor of 87.5pc.
European carriers achieved a 0.9pc rise in demand with load factor at 84.9pc. Latin American airlines saw demand grow by 8.9pc. Domestic markets remained flat overall at 0.0pc change in RPK.
Willie Walsh shared “The 46.6pc fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down 3.4pc.”
