AMMAN — Global passenger demand for air travel declined by 1.7 per cent in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, as weaker domestic markets in China, the United States and Japan offset growth across several international regions, according to new figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

 

Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), fell 1.7 per cent year on year. Overall capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), declined by 1.3 per cent, while the global passenger load factor slipped to 84.2 per cent, down 0.4 percentage points compared with June 2025.

 

International passenger demand decreased by 0.9 per cent year on year, although traffic excluding the Middle East increased by 1.1 per cent. International capacity fell by 0.6 per cent, while the load factor stood at 84.2 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points.

 

Domestic passenger markets recorded a sharper decline, with demand falling by 3.0 per cent compared with June 2025. Domestic capacity dropped by 2.4 per cent, and the load factor declined to 84.0 per cent, a fall of 0.5 percentage points.

 

“Global demand for air travel was down 1.7 per cent in June compared with 2025. This is largely due to domestic market declines in China, the US and Japan, and weak but improving international demand for Middle East carriers,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

 

Walsh said that continued tensions in the Middle East and rising fuel prices were creating additional challenges for airlines and passengers, despite signs of improvement in the region’s aviation market.

 

“Stabilising the situation in the Middle East and normalising oil supplies would improve prospects for airlines, economies and societies across the world,” he said.

 

International aviation markets delivered varied results across regions during June.

 

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region recorded a 0.4 per cent year-on-year increase in international demand. Capacity declined by 1.1 per cent, while the load factor improved to 84.0 per cent, up 1.3 percentage points from June 2025. IATA said slower growth reflected reductions in some short-haul routes as carriers responded to higher fuel costs.

 

European carriers reported a 1.5 per cent rise in demand compared with the previous year. Capacity increased by 2.0 per cent, while the load factor reached 87.1 per cent. The Europe–Asia corridor recorded the strongest growth among major international routes, with traffic increasing by 11.0 per cent.

 

North American airlines experienced a 1.0 per cent decline in demand year on year. Capacity fell by 0.7 per cent, and the load factor decreased slightly to 86.9 per cent.

 

Middle Eastern carriers recorded the steepest decline, with demand falling by 14 per cent compared with June 2025. Capacity dropped by 11 per cent, and the load factor fell to 76.3 per cent, down 2.6 percentage points.

 

IATA said that the impact of the Iran war continued to weigh heavily on year-on-year comparisons, although the pace of decline has slowed since April. The improvement reflects the gradual restoration of airline operations across the region and a lower comparison base following disruption in June 2025.

 

Latin American airlines recorded a 3.5 per cent increase in demand, while capacity grew by 6.3 per cent. The region’s load factor declined to 81.6 per cent.

 

African carriers posted the strongest demand growth among regions, with passenger traffic rising by 6.7 per cent year on year. Capacity increased by 7.0 per cent, while the load factor stood at 74.2 per cent.

 

Domestic passenger demand fell by 3.0 per cent in June 2026 compared with the same month last year, with most major markets reporting declines.

 

Brazil was the only major market to record growth, with domestic traffic increasing by 0.9 per cent, while Australia remained broadly unchanged. China recorded the largest decline, with domestic demand falling by 5.2 per cent, followed by Japan, where traffic dropped by 3.8 per cent.

 

IATA said that higher fuel prices were likely contributing to weaker demand in these markets. Load factors also declined, with Brazil experiencing the largest fall, down 2.5 percentage points.

 

Despite the overall slowdown, IATA said that continued passenger travel remains an important driver of global economic activity. The organisation added that greater stability in the Middle East and improved oil market conditions would help strengthen prospects for airlines and the wider aviation sector.