Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Did you know air passenger traffic carried by Middle Eastern carriers in March contracted by more than half, amid the impact of the conflict in the region?
Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist, IATA, provides an air passenger market analysis for March 2026.
Overall, air passenger demand rose by 2.1% in March 2026. Domestic demand increased by 6.5% while international demand declined by 0.6% compared to March 2025.
“Demand for air travel continued to grow in March despite disruptions in the Middle East. While the summer is shaping up to be a normally busy time for travel, airline resilience is being tested, and stabilizing the supply and price of fuel is crucial,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Despite these challenges, load factors strengthened across most markets, reflecting resilient demand outside affected regions.
African airlines recorded a 19.2% year‑on‑year increase in international passenger demand, while China and Brazil continued to lead growth in domestic passenger markets.
Full details, including a regional breakdown:
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-04-29-04
Did you know air passenger traffic carried by Middle Eastern carriers in March contracted by more than half, amid the impact of the conflict in the region?
Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist, IATA, provides an air passenger market analysis for March 2026.
Overall, air passenger demand rose by 2.1% in March 2026. Domestic demand increased by 6.5% while international demand declined by 0.6% compared to March 2025.
“Demand for air travel continued to grow in March despite disruptions in the Middle East. While the summer is shaping up to be a normally busy time for travel, airline resilience is being tested, and stabilizing the supply and price of fuel is crucial,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Despite these challenges, load factors strengthened across most markets, reflecting resilient demand outside affected regions.
African airlines recorded a 19.2% year‑on‑year increase in international passenger demand, while China and Brazil continued to lead growth in domestic passenger markets.
Full details, including a regional breakdown:
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-04-29-04
