by Donald Wood
Last updated: 7:55 AM ET, Tue March 31, 2026
Despite rising fuel costs worldwide, the International Air
Transport Association (IATA) released new data showing that total demand rose
in February 2026.
According to the IATA
data, total air travel demand —measured in revenue passenger kilometers
(RPK)—was up 6.1% compared to February 2025. Total capacity—measured in
available seat kilometers (ASK)—also increased 5.6% year-on-year.
The load factor was 81.4%—an increase of 0.3% compared to
February 2025—the highest February figure on record.
“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,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said. “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.”
As for international demand, it rose 5.9% compared to
February 2025, capacity was up 5.3%, and the load factor was 80.5%. North
American carriers saw a 5% year-over-year increase in demand, a 2.4% capacity
increase, and a load factor of 80.9%.
As for worldwide domestic travel, demand increased 6.3%
compared to February 2025, while capacity increased 6.2%, and the load factor
was 82.8%. In the United States, demand increased by 1.5%, capacity increased
by 0.3%, and the load factor was 79.6%.
“But some things are already clear. Fuel costs have risen
sharply,” Walsh continued. “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.”
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