- African Airlines record 4.8% Increase in February 2026 Passenger Demand
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for February 2026 global air cargo markets showing that “African airlines saw a 21.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 17.3% year-on-year.”
It can be recalled that in January 2026, the African airlines also recorded the strongest rise of all regions with a 18.2% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo and 6.5% year-on-year on Capacity increase.
The air cargo data revealed that globally “total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 11.2% compared to February 2025 levels (+11.6% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 8.5% compared to February 2025 (+9.8% for international operations).”
Also, according to IATA in its global passenger demand for February 2026, “African airlines saw a 4.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 6.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.5% (-1.3 ppt compared to February 2025).
The global passenger demand data revealed that “Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 6.1% compared to February 2025. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 5.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.4% (+0.3 ppt compared to February 2025), the highest February figure on record. International demand rose 5.9% compared to February 2025. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.5% (+0.5 ppt compared to February 2025 and Domestic demand increased 6.3% compared to February 2025. Capacity increased 6.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to February 2025).”
According to IATA, there are several factors in the air cargo operating environment that should be noted: “The global goods trade grew by 5.2% year-on-year in January, Jet fuel prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in February, while a widening Brent–jet fuel crack spread highlighted continued volatility in refining margins and Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened in February, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 53.1, remaining above the 50-point expansion threshold. The PMI for new export orders rose to 51.4, above the growth threshold and the highest level since July 2021, indicating positive conditions for air cargo demand.”
On air cargo demand, IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh said: “While air cargo has repeatedly proven its resilience in the face of disruption, an early resolution of the war along with a normalization of fuel supply and costs would be in everybody’s interest.”
For Global passenger demand, Willie Walsh said: “With an RPK expansion of 6.1%, February was a strong month, showing that the fundamentals for demand growth were in place for a positive year. However, without knowing the length and intensity of the war in the Middle East, it is impossible to quantify the full impact that it will have on airline prospects. But some things are already clear. Fuel costs have risen sharply. With tight capacity and thin margins, air fares are already rising. Capacity deployment is also adjusting, particularly for traffic to, from, or through the Middle East, or in areas where fuel supply is an issue. Capacity growth scheduled for March, for example, has eased to 3.3% from earlier predictions of more than 5%.”
Air Cargo Market in Detail – February 2026
| February 2026 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
| Total Market | 100% | 11.2% | 8.5% | 1.1 | 46.0% |
| Africa | 2.1% | 21.0% | 17.3% | 1.3 | 43.8% |
| Asia Pacific | 36.0% | 13.6% | 10.1% | 1.4 | 45.5% |
| Europe | 21.3% | 6.9% | 6.1% | 0.4 | 59.1% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 2.9% | 0.7% | 4.5% | -1.3 | 35.2% |
| Middle East | 13.2% | 16.5% | 13.5% | 1.1 | 44.4% |
| North America | 24.5% | 9.4% | 5.3% | 1.5 | 41.1% |
(*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
| February 2026 (% year-on-year) | World Share1 | RPK | ASK | PLF(%-PT)2 | PLF(Level)3 |
| Total Market | 100% | 6.1% | 5.6% | 0.3 | 81.4% |
| Africa | 2.2% | 11.9% | 13.1% | -0.8 | 75.0% |
| Asia Pacific | 34.5% | 9.1% | 9.0% | 0.1 | 85.5% |
| Europe | 26.6% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 0.4 | 76.9% |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 5.4% | 9.2% | 6.2% | 2.3 | 84.0% |
| Middle East | 9.5% | 0.8% | 3.9% | -2.5 | 79.5% |
| North America | 21.8% | 2.8% | 1.1% | 1.3 | 80.3% |
1) % of industry RPK in 2025 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level Source: IATA