Middle East war led to 3.4% drop in air passenger demand in April: IATA

The war in the Middle East led to a 3.4 per cent drop in air passenger demand in April, says the International Air Transport Association (IATA), sharing its latest figures for that month.

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 3.4 per cent compared to April 2025. But excluding the Middle East, demand increased by 1.2 per cent, IATA says.

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased 2.9 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 83.1 per cent.

International demand fell 5.3 per cent compared to April 2025. Excluding Middle East, demand grew by 1.9 per cent, says IATA.

Capacity was down 5.1 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9 per cent.

Domestic demand was flat compared to April 2025, says IATA. Capacity increased 0.8 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 81.9 per cent.

North American carriers, for one, saw a 0.0 per cent year-on-year increase in demand.

Capacity for this region decreased 1.1 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.9 per cent.

“The 46.6 per cent 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 per cent,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, in a statement. “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.”

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