IATA: Global Air Passenger Demand Up 0.2% in July


   
   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) -- Global air passenger demand edged up 0.2% year on year 
in July, marking a modest rebound for the peak Northern summer travel season 
despite ongoing headwinds from high fuel costs and Middle East tensions, the 
International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported Monday (8/31).

   Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), 
improved from June's 1.7% decline, while capacity rose 0.3%, bringing the 
global load factor to 85.2%, IATA said.

   North American carriers saw international demand fall 2.3% from a year 
earlier as capacity dropped a matching 2.3%, keeping the regional load factor 
flat at 88.2%.

   Domestic markets showed mild growth overall, with total domestic RPK rising 
0.6% in July. U.S. domestic traffic fell 0.5%, while China led major domestic 
expansions with a 5.3% gain.

   Middle Eastern carriers continued to weigh on overall traffic, though their 
demand decline moderated to 10.0% in July compared to double-digit plunges 
recorded earlier in the year.

   IATA Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen noted that despite high fuel costs 
and economic uncertainty, carriers remain confident for late 2026, pointing to 
a planned 3% seat capacity expansion in September.

   International passenger traffic edged down 0.1% year on year in July, though 
excluding Middle Eastern airlines, global international travel grew 1.5%.




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