- African Airlines record 2.2% Increase in April 2026 Passenger demand
The International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s global air cargo markets data for April shows that African airlines had a 7.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo while capacity decreased by -9.4% year-on-year.
The data also revealed that “Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 4.0% compared to April 2025 levels (+4.0% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), decreased by -0.4% compared to April 2025 (-0.9% for international operations).”
Also, according to IATA in its global passenger demand for April 2026, “African airlines saw a 2.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 1.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 77.9% (+0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).”
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh said: “Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment. Severe disruption at major Gulf hubs due to the war in the Middle East continued to reshape trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors. With dedicated freighters carrying much of the growth, air cargo is once again keeping supply chains moving amid trade disruptions. The coming months will test how well the sector can absorb continued geopolitical uncertainty and elevated operating costs.”
The global passenger demand data revealed that “Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down -3.4% compared to April 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand increased by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased -2.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.1% (-0.4 ppt compared to April 2025). International demand fell -5.3% compared to April 2025. Excluding Middle East, demand grew by 1.9%. Capacity was down -5.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9% (-0.2 ppt compared to April 2025). Domestic demand was flat compared to April 2025. Capacity increased 0.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.9% (-0.7 ppt compared to April 2025).”
Mr. Walsh said “The 46.6% fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down -3.4%. The situation for air transport remains highly volatile. 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.”
Air Cargo Market in Detail – April 2026
| April 2026 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
| Total Market | 100% | 4.0% | -0.4% | 1.9 | 46.0% |
| Africa | 2.1% | 7.7% | -9.4% | 7.8 | 49.1% |
| Asia Pacific | 35.8% | 10.5% | 5.3% | 2.2 | 47.0% |
| Europe | 21.4% | 6.0% | 3.0% | 1.5 | 53.4% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 2.9% | -2.8% | 1.2% | -1.6 | 37.4% |
| Middle East | 13.2% | -18.2% | -22.9% | 2.7 | 46.0% |
| North America | 24.6% | 5.0% | 1.2% | 1.5 | 40.9% |
(*1) % of industry CTK in 2025 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level Source: IATA
Air Passenger Market in Detail
| April 2026 (% year-on-year) | World Share1 | RPK | ASK | PLF(%-PT)2 | PLF(Level)3 |
| Total Market | 100% | -3.4% | -2.9% | -0.4 | 83.1% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 2.8% | 2.0% | 0.6 | 77.7% |
| Asia Pacific | 34.4% | 1.7% | 0.7% | 0.9 | 85.1% |
| Europe | 26.7% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 0.4 | 85.4% |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 5.4% | 5.0% | 4.3% | 0.5 | 82.9% |
| Middle East | 9.5% | -46.6% | -37.2% | -12.5 | 70.6% |
| North America | 21.8% | -0.3% | 0.3% | -0.5 | 81.5% |
1) % of industry RPK in 2025 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level
Source: IATA