Feb 2026 air passenger demand up by 6.1%; India highest among major domestic markets: IATA
Representative Image_IATA report
Director General, Willie Walsh said that with tight capacity and thin margins, air fares are already rising, and the 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, has eased to 3.3% from earlier predictions of over 5%.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2026 showing that the total global passenger 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). Whereas the 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). The report also shows that India remains one of the highest in domestic growth.
“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%,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Regional Breakdown - International Passenger Markets
International RPK growth reached 5.9% in February compared to a year ago, with growth particularly strong in Latin America. Asia traffic benefited from the Lunar New Year travel demand. Traffic between Europe and Asia was especially robust (+14%), particularly between Asia and Spain and Italy.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 8.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 86.6% (+1.0 ppt compared to February 2025).
European carriers had a 5.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 75.6% (+0.4 ppt compared to February 2025).
North American carriers saw a 5.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.9% (+2.0 ppt compared to February 2025).
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 0.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.6% (-2.2 ppt compared to February 2025).
Latin American airlines saw a 13.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 9.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.0% (+3.1 ppt compared to February 2025).
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).
Domestic Passenger Markets
Domestic RPK rose by a robust 6.3%, driven by strong demand in Brazil and China. The capacity increase (+6.2%) was close to matching demand and the load factor was basically steady at 82.8%.
In India, domestic RPK increased by 0.6% YoY. The moderation in growth from 3.5% YoY in January may partly reflect a higher base of comparison, given the exceptionally strong demand recorded in February 2025. Capacity rose by 1.9% in February 2026, leading to a 1.2 percentage point decline in the load factor to 89.1%. Nonetheless, it remained the highest among major domestic markets.
