IATA Calls July Global Passenger Demand “A Mostly Positive Story”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2026 global passenger demand. Total demand was up  0.2% compared to July 2025. Excluding the Middle East – where demand is still dampened by the U.S.-Iran conflict, 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, with capacity up 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,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP Sustainability, and Chief Economist. 

“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.” 

International demand fell 0.1%, with capacity rising 0.3%. However, excluding the Middle East carriers, total demand rose 1.5%.

Notable Regional Developments

• North American carriers saw a decrease in demand of 2.3% year-on-year. Capacity decreased a similar 2.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.2% (0.0 ppt compared to July 2025). The key transatlantic corridor fell by 2.2%, with notable declines in traffic from UK, France, and Spain.
• Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.5% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity fell 5.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.9% (-3.3 ppt compared to July 2025). The decline in traffic continues to moderate after the double-digit fall earlier in the year. 
• Latin American airlines achieved a 7.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 7.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.7% (-0.1 ppt compared to July 2025). 
• African airlines saw a 6.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 9.0% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.1% (-1.8 ppt compared to July 2025).