THUR APRIL 02 2026-theGBJournal| Total global air passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), grew 6.1% compared to February 2025, according to latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) market analysis.
“With an RPK expansion of 6.1%, February was a strong month, showing that the fundamentals for demand growth were in place for a positive year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
”However, without knowing the length and intensity of the war in the Middle East, it is impossible to quantify the full impact that it will have on airline prospects. But some things are already clear.”
Amidst the growth, African airlines recorded a modest but steady uptick in passenger traffic, with demand rising 4.8% year-on-year, reflecting resilient travel appetite across the continent despite prevailing macroeconomic headwinds.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), capacity expanded at a faster pace of 6.6% y/y, outstripping demand growth and contributing to a slight softening in efficiency metrics.
Consequently, the load factor dipped to 74.5%, representing a 1.3 percentage point decline compared to February 2025, as airlines continued to balance fleet expansion with evolving market dynamics.
Meanwhile, International demand rose 5.9% compared to February 2025. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.5% (+0.5 ppt compared to February 2025).
Similarly, Domestic demand rose 6.3% compared to February 2025. Capacity also increased 6.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to February 2025).
Walsh noted the fuel costs factor which he says have risen sharply.
”With tight capacity and thin margins, air fares are already rising. Capacity deployment is also adjusting, particularly for traffic to, from, or through the Middle East, or in areas where fuel supply is an issue. Capacity growth scheduled for March, for example, has eased to 3.3% from earlier predictions of more than 5%” he adds.
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