The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released global air passenger demand data for July 2026. Worldwide passenger demand increased by 0.2% compared with the same month last year. Capacity rose by 0.3%, while the global passenger load factor stood at 85.2%.
According to IATA data, international passenger demand declined by 0.1%. Excluding Middle Eastern carriers, however, international demand increased by 1.5%. Domestic passenger demand grew by 0.6%, while domestic capacity increased by 0.2% and the load factor rose to 85.3%.
European Demand Rises 3.1%
European airlines recorded notable growth in July, with passenger demand increasing by 3.1% year-on-year. Capacity rose by 3.2%, while the passenger load factor stood at 87.1%.
Passenger traffic between Europe and Asia increased by 12.1%, which IATA said was the strongest growth recorded among major international air corridors in July.
Demand among African airlines increased by 6.4%, while Latin America and the Caribbean recorded growth of 7.1%. Demand declined by 0.7% in Asia-Pacific and by 2.3% among North American carriers.
Middle East Decline Continues
The Middle East recorded the most significant decline. Passenger demand among the region’s airlines fell by 9.5% year-on-year in July. Capacity decreased by 5.8%, while the passenger load factor stood at 80.9%.
However, IATA noted that the decline in Middle Eastern air traffic continued to moderate compared with the double-digit decreases recorded earlier in the year. Traffic through major Gulf connecting hubs also continued to show signs of recovery.
China and Brazil Lead Domestic Growth
Global domestic passenger demand increased by 0.6%. Domestic demand rose by 5.3% in China and 6% in Brazil.
Japan recorded growth of 0.9%, while demand declined by 0.5% in the United States, 0.5% in Australia and 6.3% in India.
Capacity Growth Expected in September
Despite high fuel prices, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, IATA said airlines remain cautiously optimistic about demand for the remainder of the year.
Airlines are expected to increase seat capacity by approximately 3% in September. IATA Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen said the Northern Hemisphere’s busy summer season had been broadly positive for air transport, with traffic through Gulf hubs continuing to recover.
