The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its report released data for April 2026 global passenger demand has stated that Middle East War leads to 3.4% fall in air passenger demand in April.
Total demand was down -3.4% compared to April 2025. Domestic demand was flat compared to April 2025.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 3.0% year-on-year increase in demand while European carriers saw a 0.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Direct traffic between Europe and Asia increased 15.3% as it replaced traffic transiting through the Middle East.
North American carriers saw a 0.0% year-on-year increase in demand.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a -48.1% year-on-year decrease in demand. Traffic was impacted by the ongoing Iran war, though the decline slowed a little compared to March, as an uneasy ceasefire came into effect.
Latin American airlines achieved an 8.9% year-on-year increase in demand while African airlines saw a 2.2% year-on-year increase in demand.
Domestic RPK was flat in April compared to April 2025. Growth in Brazil, China, and Japan was balanced out by falls in Australia, India, and the United States.
Meanwhile, IATA has also released global air cargo markets data for April 2026.
Total demand increased by 4.0% compared to April 2025 and the capacity decreased by -0.4% compared to April 2025
