IATA: Air Cargo Demand Grows 4.4%; Air Passenger Demand Slips 0.8% in August

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2026 global air cargo markets showing:

• Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 4.4% compared to August 2025 (+5.3% for international operations).
• Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), decreased by 0.1% compared to August 2025 (+0.1% for international operations).

“Air cargo demand rose 4.4% year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1%. Strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines to recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs. Yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, while global goods trade growth continues. Both are positive signs as the year-end peak season comes into view,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

• Global trade increased by 6.0% year-on-year in July, extending the run of consecutive monthly expansions to 33 months, on a year-on-year basis.
• Jet fuel prices rose by 8.3% month-on-month in August and were 79.2% higher than a year earlier.
• Global manufacturing activity increased in August. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased 0.3 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index rose 1.4 points to 51.4. Both indicators remained supportive of air cargo demand.

> View August 2026 Air Cargo Market Analysis (pdf)

PASSENGER

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2026 global passenger demand:

• Total demand,measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 0.8% compared to August 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 0.6%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.1% (-0.9 ppt compared to August 2025).
• International demand fell 0.9% compared to August 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.3%. Capacity was flat (0.0%) year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.0% (-0.8 ppt compared to August 2025).
• Domestic demand fell 0.5% compared to August 2025. Capacity increased 0.7% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3% (-1.1 ppt during the same reference period).

“Global demand for air transport contracted by 0.8% compared to August 2025 as the recovery trajectory for carriers in the Middle East was interrupted. The region’s carriers reported that demand was 14.6% lower year-on-year, reversing an improving trend.

Excluding the Middle East carriers, demand for air travel grew by 0.6% year-on-year in August, half the pace seen in July. With some important exceptions such as domestic China, global connectivity was generally weaker in August. The coming months will reveal whether travelers, whose purchasing power has been reduced by higher energy prices, are adjusting their travel budgets, and might be discouraged from traveling due to the prevailing geopolitical instability. In the meantime, forward schedules for October are showing cautious optimism with 2.0% growth in available seats,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability, and Chief Economist. 

View the August 2026 Air Passenger Market Analysis (pdf)