IATA reports contrasting August 2026 results for global air passenger and cargo demand

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air passenger demand fell by 0.8 per cent in August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This contraction was largely driven by a sharp decline in the Middle East; excluding this region, passenger demand saw a modest increase of 0.6 per cent. Total global capacity grew by 0.3 per cent, while the passenger load factor dropped by 0.9 percentage points to 85.1 per cent. Domestic and international demand also declined by 0.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively.

Conversely, the air cargo sector demonstrated significant growth, with global demand rising by 4.4 per cent year-on-year. International cargo demand surged by 5.3 per cent, while total capacity slightly decreased by 0.1 per cent. This disparity led to the global cargo load factor climbing by two percentage points to 46 per cent. IATA chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen noted that this positive trend helped airlines offset high fuel costs and was supported by a 6 per cent increase in global goods trade. Yields for cargo also rose for the first time since April, suggesting a favorable outlook as the year-end peak season approaches.