- African Airlines record 6.7% Increase in June 2026 Passenger Demand
The International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s global air cargo markets data for June shows that “African airlines saw a 4.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo, a -7.1% in year-on-year cargo capacity for a 48.1% cargo load factor (the percentage of capacity taken up by the market).”
The data also revealed that “Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 8.5% compared to June 2025 (9.6% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 4.4% compared to June 2025 (4.9% for international operations).”
According to IATA in its global passenger demand for June 2026, “African airlines saw a 6.7% y-o-y rise in demand, a 7% y-o-y expansion in capacity and a 74.2% passenger load-factor (the percentage of capacity taken up by the market), which was slightly lower (-0.3 percentage points y-o-y) on June 2025. Africa accounted for 2.2% of the total global market for passenger air travel in June 2026.”
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh said: “Air cargo demand grew 8.5% year-on-year in June. While North America was the strongest contributor to growth, demand in all regions was in positive territory compared to last year. Demand growth outpaced capacity at the global level and in all regions except Latin America and the Caribbean. Demand also grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value technology products, and urgent shipments. While this all gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain—continuing hostilities in the Middle East and a renewed focus on tariffs by the US among them.”
The global passenger demand date revealed that “Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 1.7% compared to June 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand declined by 0.6%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.2% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2025), International demand fell 0.9% compared to June 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.1%. Capacity was down 0.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.2% (-0.2 ppt compared to June 2025) and Domestic demand contracted 3.0% compared to June 2025. Capacity decreased 2.4% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.0% (-0.5 ppt compared to June 2025).”
Mr. Walsh said: “Global demand for air travel was down 1.7% in June compared to 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. While Middle East performance improved, renewed tensions will not help the region’s recovery and the knock-on impact of rising fuel prices will continue to burden travelers with higher airfares. People continue to travel, which is an important contributor to global economic growth. There is no doubt, however, that stabilizing the situation in the Middle East and normalizing oil supplies would improve prospects for airlines, economies and societies the world over.”
Air Cargo Market in Detail – June 2026
| JUNE 2026 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
| Total Market | 100% | 8.5% | 4.4% | 1.7 | 46.9% |
| Africa | 2.1% | 4.7% | -7.1% | 5.4 | 48.1% |
| Asia-Pacific | 35.8% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 1.8 | 51.8% |
| Europe | 21.4% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 1.5 | 50.5% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 2.9% | 3.5% | 9.8% | -2.1 | 33.9% |
| Middle East | 13.2% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 1.4 | 46.5% |
| North America | 24.6% | 13.1% | 6.2% | 2.5 | 40.7% |
(*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
| JUNE 2026 (% year-on-year) | World Share1 | RPK | ASK | PLF(%-PT)2 | PLF(Level)3 |
| Total Market | 100% | -1.7% | -1.3% | -0.4 | 84.2% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 3.8% | 4.7% | -0.6 | 73.9% |
| Asia-Pacific | 34.4% | -2.0% | -2.1% | 0.1 | 83.1% |
| Europe | 26.7% | 0.8% | 1.4% | -0.5 | 87.5% |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 5.4% | 1.5% | 3.9% | -2.0 | 81.2% |
| Middle East | 9.5% | -13.9% | -11.3% | -2.3 | 76.1% |
| North America | 21.8% | -1.1% | -1.1% | 0.0 | 86.1% |
1) % of industry RPK in 2025 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level Source: IATA