Total April air demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometers, decreased 3.4 percent year over year, mainly due to the war in the Middle East, according to the latest International Air Transport Association monthly report. It was the first year-over-year monthly contraction since the post-pandemic recovery, according to IATA.
Total April capacity, as measured in available seat kilometers, decreased 2.9 percent for the period. Load factor was 83.1 percent, down 0.4 percentage points compared with April 2025.
April total demand for the Middle East declined 46.6 percent compared with April 2025, while capacity was down 37.2 percent. Excluding that region, total demand for the month increased by 1.2 percent, according to IATA.
International April demand declined 5.3 percent year over year. Capacity was down 5.1 percent, with the load factor down 0.2 percentage points to 83.9 percent. Excluding the Middle East, international demand grew 1.9 percent for the period.
April domestic demand was flat year over year, while capacity increased 0.8 percent. Load factor declined 0.7 percentage points to 81.9 percent.
"The situation for air transport remains highly volatile," IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement. "The cost of jet fuel more than doubled in April, which is pushing airfares up. Forward schedule data is showing a reduced offering in the coming months, indicating that airlines are balancing high fuel costs and weaker demand."
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Aside from the Middle East, North America was the only other market in April with a total demand decline, at 0.3 percent year over year. Latin America and the Caribbean reported the largest growth rate at 5 percent compared with April 2025. That region also led in capacity growth of 4.3 percent year over year. North American capacity increased 0.3 percent.
April international demand for the Middle East declined 48.1 percent year over year, with capacity down 38.4 percent. North American demand was flat compared with April 2025, while demand declined 1.1 percent. The remaining four regions reported demand and capacity growth for the period.
Domestic demand by region for April was mixed. India declined 2.9 percent year over year, the U.S. was down 0.6 percent and Australia declined 0.4 percent. Japan demand increased 3.7 percent for the period, however it also was the only domestic market to report a capacity decline, of 1.4 percent. Brazil had the highest capacity increase at 4.5 percent compared with April 2025. U.S. capacity increased 1 percent.
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