African airlines recorded the strongest regional growth in June, with passenger demand rising 6,7% year on year, despite a decline in global demand.
According to IATA’s Air Passenger Market Analysis for June 2026, capacity in Africa was up 7% year-on-year, while load factors decreased by 0,3 percentage points compared to 74,2%.
Total demand was down 1,7% compared to June 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand declined by 0,6%. Total capacity decreased 1,3%, while the load factor was 84,2% (a 0,4 percentage point decrease compared to June 2025).
“Global demand for air travel was down 1,7% in June. This is largely due to domestic market declines in China, the US, and Japan, and weak but improving international demand for Middle East carriers,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General
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% (a 0,2 percentage point decrease compared to June 2025).
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 14% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity fell 11%, and the load factor was 76,3% (a 2,6 percentage point decrease compared to June 2025). The conflict continues to cause a negative year-on-year comparison, but the rate of decline has halved month-to-month since April.
“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 travellers with higher airfares. People continue to travel, which is an important contributor to global economic growth,” said Walsh.
