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 83.6% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2025). 
• Domestic demand fell 2.2% compared to September 2025. Capacity decreased 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.5% (-0.7 ppt during the same reference period).

“Air traffic demand fell 0.5% in September, reflecting weaknesses in the Middle East and North America. Nevertheless, this was an improvement from August, with a welcome return to growth in most international markets. These patterns have more-or-less repeated themselves throughout much of the year, and we can expect this to continue amid geopolitical uncertainty and volatile fuel prices. Global scheduled seat capacity is expected to remain above 2025 levels in October and November, but the rates of growth remain weak and highly unbalanced between regions,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability, and Chief Economist.  

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