Global Air Passenger Demand Rises 3.8% in January, IATA Says

Global air passenger demand increased by 3.8% in January 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, according to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

International travel drove the growth, rising 5.9% year on year, while domestic passenger traffic edged up by just 0.1%. Overall capacity expanded by 3.5%, pushing the global load factor to a January record of 82%.

«Air cargo markets started the year on a strong note, though regional performance remains uneven. In the coming months, market dynamics will largely depend on geopolitical developments and changes in trade policy,» said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

The organisation noted that comparisons with last year were affected by the timing of the Lunar New Year, which fell in January in 2025 but shifted to February in 2026, partly smoothing annual demand figures.

By March, global airline capacity could rise by 5.2%, which would mark the fastest expansion since April 2024. The strongest growth in international passenger demand was recorded in Africa, up 11.7%, and Latin America, which saw an 11.4% increase.

Air cargo markets also showed positive momentum. Demand for freight transport rose 5.6% year on year, while international cargo volumes increased 7.2%. Cargo capacity expanded by 3.6%, with the load factor reaching 45.1%.

Africa recorded the fastest growth in cargo demand at 18.2%, followed by the Middle East with 9.3%. Meanwhile, North America saw a slight decline of 0.5%, while Latin America reported a 2% drop.

From economics and politics to business, technology and culture, Kursiv Uzbekistan brings you key news and in-depth analysis from Uzbekistan and around the world. To stay up to date and get the latest stories in real time, follow our Telegram channel.