Global air passenger demand dropped by 0.5% in September 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International demand grew slightly by 0.4%, while domestic demand fell sharply by 2.2%.

Middle Eastern airlines recorded the largest decline, with a 7.5% year-on-year drop in demand. In contrast, Latin American and African airlines both saw significant increases, rising by 8.2% and 8.0% respectively.

The report highlights continued uneven growth across regions, with geopolitical uncertainty and fluctuating fuel prices affecting demand patterns.

Domestic demand was particularly weak in the United States and India, with the US seeing a 2.7% drop and India experiencing its steepest decline of -8.3%. Japan also saw a 0.8% decrease in domestic traffic, partly due to weather-related disruptions during the Silver Week travel period.

Despite these challenges, some international markets showed signs of recovery, with European carriers reporting a 1.8% increase in demand and Asia-Pacific airlines seeing a 0.7% rise.