2026 begins with a 3.8% growth in air passenger demand

Global demand for air passenger transport — measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) — grew by 3.8% in January 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The data confirms that commercial aviation maintains a path of sustained growth, driven by the recovery of international routes, the stability in corporate demand and the dynamism of international tourism in several regions.

Capacity and occupancy in line with demand

According to the report, airline capacity also expanded, keeping pace with the increase in traffic. This balance between supply and demand allowed for healthy occupancy levels, a key indicator for the sector's profitability.

Growth was driven by both domestic and international markets, although performance varied by region. Asia-Pacific and Latin America continued to show dynamism, while mature markets maintained a more moderate but stable evolution.

A challenging but resilient environment

The start of 2026 comes in a global context that still presents structural challenges for the industry, including:

Pressures in the aeronautical supply chain.

Need to accelerate the production and distribution of sustainable fuels (SAF).

Regulatory adjustments in different markets.

Despite this scenario, aviation maintains its strategic role as an engine of connectivity, trade and economic development.

Strategic agenda for 2026

Alongside the publication of traffic data, IATA is moving forward with a schedule of international events aimed at strengthening cooperation between airlines, governments and actors in the air transport ecosystem.

Among the featured events are the World Cargo Symposium, to be held from March 10 to 12 in Lima, and the Wings of Change Americas conference, scheduled for April 8 and 9 in Santiago. Both events will address topics such as digitalization, sustainability, regional connectivity, and competitiveness.

With a positive start to the year and an agenda focused on innovation and resilience, the airline industry faces 2026 with prospects for moderate but sustained growth, consolidating its role as a fundamental pillar of global mobility.

Source: IATA.