The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2026 global passenger demand:

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 0.8% compared to August 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 0.6%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.1% (-0.9 ppt compared to August 2025).

International demand fell 0.9% compared to August 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.3%. Capacity was flat (0.0%) year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.0% (-0.8 ppt compared to August 2025). 

Domestic demand fell 0.5% compared to August 2025. Capacity increased 0.7% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3% (-1.1 ppt during the same reference period).

Regional Breakdown - International Markets 

International RPK fell 0.9% year-on-year, with capacity unchanged. However, excluding the Middle East carriers, total demand rose 1.3% on the same basis.

Domestic Markets

Domestic RPK fell 0.5% in August 2026 compared to the same month last year. Domestic travel in Japan and the United States fell, and there was a particularly sharp contraction in India (-7.5%). Chinese domestic travel strengthened, supported by summer travel demand.