IATA: Pax demand up slightly while cargo gets a boost in July

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2026 global passenger demand showing total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 0.2% compared to July 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.2% (-0.1 ppt compared to July 2025). International demand fell 0.1% compared to July 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.5%. Capacity was up 0.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.2% (-0.3 ppt compared to July 2025).  Domestic demand grew 0.6% compared to July 2025. Capacity increased 0.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3% (+0.3 ppt during the same reference period). “The peak Northern summer travel season is a mostly positive story for air travel. Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East.  Notably, traffic through the Gulf hubs continues its recovery trajectory. Although high fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue, carriers are expressing confidence in demand for the last part of the year with an almost 3% expansion of seat capacity in September,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability, and Chief Economist. Air passenger market in detail – July 2026 July 2026 (% year-on-year) World share1 RPK ASK PLF (%-pt) PLF (level) Total Market 100% 0.2% 0.3% -0.1 85.2% Africa 2.2% 5.2% 7.3% -1.5 75.1% Asia Pacific 34.4% 1.0% 0.3% 0.6 83.7% Europe 26.7% 2.1% 2.3% -0.1 87.7% Latin America and Caribbean 5.4% 6.1% 6.6% -0.4 85.3% Middle East 9.5% -10.0% -6.2% -3.4 80.7% North America 21.8% -1.2% -1.8% 0.6 87.3% 1% of industry RPKs in 2025 July Regional Performance Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 4.1% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in July. Capacity increased by 3.0% year-on-year. North American carriers saw a 4.8% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in July, the strongest performance of all regions. Capacity decreased by 1.5% year-on-year. European carriers saw a 4.4% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity increased by 1.3% year-on-year. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 1.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity increased by 4.0% year-on-year. Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 4.1% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity increased by 7.0% year-on-year. African airlines saw a 1.1% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July, the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 4.1% year-on-year. Trade Lane Growth Air cargo performance diverged across major trade lanes in July. Asia–North America recorded the strongest growth, followed by Europe–Asia, and Europe-North America. In contrast, Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. Air Cargo demand grows 3.9% in July (PHOTO: Air India) IATA also released data for July 2026 global air cargo markets showing total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 3.9% compared to July 2025 (4.7% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 1.7% compared to July 2025 (1.8% for international operations). “Air cargo demand grew 3.9% year-on-year in July. While all regions recorded growth, airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America accounted for more than 90% of the overall increase. Dedicated freighters gained market share as belly-hold traffic declined, possibly reflecting demand for larger or specialist shipments and the operational flexibility that freighters can provide. Looking ahead, the outlook remains broadly positive, supported by manufacturing activity, export orders and global trade. However, higher fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty will need to be watched carefully,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist. Air cargo market in detail – July 2026 July 2026 (% year-on-year) World share1 CTK ACTK CLF (%-pt) CLF (level) Total Market 100% 3.9% 1.7% 1.0 46.0% Africa 2.1% 1.1% 4.1% -1.4 45.8% Asia Pacific 35.8% 4.1% 3.0% 0.5 49.5% Europe 21.4% 4.4% 1.3% 1.5 51.1% Latin America and Caribbean 2.9% 4.1% 7.0% -0.9 32.3% Middle East 13.2% 1.7% 4.0% -1.0 44.1% North America 24.6% 4.8% -1.5% 2.5 41.2% 1% of industry CTK in 2025 Several factors in the operating environment should be noted IATA said, including: Global trade increased by 7.5% year-on-year. Jet fuel prices rose by 12.2% month-on-month in July and were 56.9% higher than a year earlier. Global manufacturing activity eased slightly in June but remained supportive, while export orders reached their highest level in three months. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell 0.3 points to 52.7, while the New Export Orders Index rose to 50.0. Together, these indicators remained broadly supportive of air cargo demand. July Regional Performance Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 4.1% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in July. Capacity increased by 3.0% year-on-year. North American carriers saw a 4.8% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in July, the strongest performance of all regions. Capacity decreased by 1.5% year-on-year. European carriers saw a 4.4% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity increased by 1.3% year-on-year. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 1.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity increased by 4.0% year-on-year. Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 4.1% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity increased by 7.0% year-on-year. African airlines saw a 1.1% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July, the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 4.1% year-on-year. Trade Lane Growth Air cargo performance diverged across major trade lanes in July. Asia–North America recorded the strongest growth, followed by Europe–Asia, and Europe-North America. In contrast, Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]