Global air travel demand increased 6.1% in February 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, while total capacity - measured in available seat kilometers - grew 5.6% year-on-year, according to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The result pushed the industrywide load factor to 81.4%, the highest figure on record for a February.
On the international front, passenger traffic rose 5.9% versus February 2025, supported by a 5.3% expansion in capacity and yielding a load factor of 80.5%. Domestic travel also recorded gains, with demand up 6.3% year-on-year, capacity up 6.2% and a domestic load factor of 82.8%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh highlighted cost pressures stemming from the war in the Middle East, saying fuel costs have climbed sharply. He noted that air fares are already rising and that carriers are modifying capacity deployment - particularly for flights to, from, or transiting the Middle East. Walsh said that capacity growth scheduled for March has been revised down to 3.3% from earlier projections of more than 5%.
Regional performance varied. Latin American carriers posted the strongest year-on-year international demand increase at 13.5%. Asia-Pacific airlines saw demand rise 8.6%, aided by travel tied to the Lunar New Year period. Traffic between Europe and Asia expanded by 14%, with particularly notable flows between Asia and Spain and Italy.
European and North American carriers each recorded 5.0% year-on-year increases in international demand. Middle Eastern carriers experienced the slowest international growth at 0.9% year-on-year, and their load factor fell to 79.6%.
Looking at domestic markets, Brazil led with 12.6% demand growth, followed closely by China at 12.5%. The United States domestic market expanded by 1.5% compared with February 2025.
IATA represents more than 360 airlines that together account for roughly 85% of global air traffic.
Analysis
The figures indicate that demand continues to outpace capacity growth overall, supporting elevated seat utilization in both international and domestic markets. However, cost pressures from increased fuel prices and route-specific capacity adjustments are factors that airlines are factoring into fare setting and network plans.