Air Passenger Demand Grows in February 2026
February Air Passenger Demand Shows Steady Growth Across Markets
The International Air Transport Association reported that global air passenger demand increased in February 2026, reflecting continued recovery in travel activity across both domestic and international markets.
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose by 6.1% year over year in February 2025. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), increased by 5.6% year-on-year. The overall load factor reached 81.4%, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous year.
International passenger demand grew by 5.9%, with capacity rising by 5.3%. The load factor for international travel stood at 80.5%, up slightly from February 2025.
Domestic travel demand increased by 6.3%, while capacity grew by 6.2%. The domestic load factor remained stable at 82.8%.
William M. WalshWillie Walsh, IATA's Director General, noted that demand growth remained steady during the month. However, he highlighted that rising fuel costs and ongoing geopolitical developments, particularly in the Middle East, are influencing airline operations, fares and capacity planning.
Air Passenger Market in Detail - February 2026 (% Year-on-Year)
| Region | World Share (%) | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | Load Factor Change (ppt) | Load Factor (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market | 100% | 6.1% | 5.6% | +0.3 | 81.4% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 11.9% | 13.1% | -0.8 | 75.0% |
| Asia Pacific | 34.5% | 9.1% | 9.0% | +0.1 | 85.5% |
| Europe | 26.6% | 4.9% | 4.3% | +0.4 | 76.9% |
| Latin America & Caribbean | 5.4% | 9.2% | 6.2% | +2.3 | 84.0% |
| Middle East | 9.5% | 0.8% | 3.9% | -2.5 | 79.5% |
| North America | 21.8% | 2.8% | 1.1% | +1.3 | 80.3% |
Regional Trends in International Passenger Markets
International traffic increased by 5.9% year-on-year, with growth supported by demand in Latin America and seasonal travel in Asia linked to the Lunar New Year. Routes between Europe and Asia also saw increased activity.
- Asia-Pacific airlines recorded an 8.6% rise in demand, with load factors reaching 86.6%.
- European carriers reported a 5.0% increase in demand.
- North American airlines also saw demand rise by 5.0%, supported by modest capacity growth.
- Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 0.9% increase in demand, with load factors declining slightly.
- Latin American airlines posted a 13.5% increase in demand, alongside capacity expansion.
- African airlines recorded 4.8% growth in demand.
Domestic Passenger Markets
Domestic demand increased by 6.3%, with growth driven by markets such as Brazil and China. Capacity growth remained aligned with demand, resulting in stable load factors.
| Market | World Share (%) | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | Load Factor Change (ppt) | Load Factor (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Total | 37.2% | 6.3% | 6.2% | +0.1 | 82.8% |
| Australia | 0.8% | -1.1% | 3.8% | -3.4 | 69.2% |
| Brazil | 1.2% | 12.6% | 9.8% | +2.0 | 82.3% |
| China | 11.3% | 12.5% | 13.4% | -0.7 | 85.9% |
| India | 1.7% | 0.6% | 1.9% | -1.2 | 89.1% |
| Japan | 1.0% | 0.8% | -0.8% | +1.4 | 84.9% |
| United States | 13.6% | 1.5% | 0.3% | +0.9 | 79.6% |
The February data indicate that air passenger travel demand continues to expand across regions, although performance varies with market conditions, operational factors and external influences such as fuel costs and geopolitical developments.