Air Passenger Demand Falls 0.5% in September

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2026 global passenger demand:  Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 0.5% compared to September 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 0.3%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased 0.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.2% (-0.3 ppt compared to September 2025). International demand grew 0.4% compared to September 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.7%. Capacity was up 0.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.