African airlines recorded an 8.9 per cent year-on-year increase in international passenger demand in May 2026, with the region’s average passenger load factor improving to 73.4 per cent.
The figures were contained in the International Air Transport Association’s latest report on global passenger demand for May 2026, which highlighted Africa as one of the strongest-performing aviation regions during the month.
The growth came despite a 2.2 per cent decline in global passenger demand, largely driven by the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
Excluding the Middle East, however, global passenger demand increased by 0.7 per cent, underscoring the resilience of air travel across most regions.
IATA said African airlines recorded an 8.9 per cent increase in international passenger demand compared to May 2025, reflecting one of the strongest regional performances globally. The association also reported that capacity expanded by 8.3 per cent year-on-year, while the region’s average passenger load factor improved by 0.4 percentage points to 73.4 per cent.
“African airlines saw an 8.9 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 8.3 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 73.4 per cent (+0.4 ppt compared to May 2025).”
Globally, total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), declined by 2.2 per cent compared to May 2025, although demand outside the Middle East increased by 0.7 per cent.
Total airline capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), fell by 2.3 per cent year-on-year, while the global passenger load factor reached a record 83.5 per cent for May, up 0.1 percentage points from a year earlier.
Although Africa recorded one of the strongest increases in passenger demand, its load factor remained the lowest among all regions, indicating there is still room for airlines to improve seat occupancy as traffic continues to recover.
IATA reported that international passenger demand declined 1.6 per cent year-on-year globally but would have increased by 3.1 per cent if Middle Eastern carriers were excluded. Capacity on international routes fell 2.4 per cent, while the international load factor rose by 0.7 percentage points to 83.7 per cent.
Domestic passenger demand declined 3.1 per cent year-on-year, while domestic capacity fell 2.1 per cent and the load factor slipped to 83.0 per cent.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the decline in global passenger demand was primarily driven by the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, where airlines recorded a 28.4 per cent drop in demand during May.
Walsh noted that the improvement from April’s 46.6 per cent decline demonstrates the resilience of the region’s aviation market despite ongoing disruptions.
He also warned that uncertainty over oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz could keep operating costs elevated, potentially resulting in higher airfares as airlines seek to protect already thin profit margins.
Regional performance remained mixed, with Latin America posting the strongest demand growth at 10.5 per cent, Europe recording a 3.8 per cent increase, Asia-Pacific growing by 1.3 per cent, North America rising by 1.0 per cent, while Middle Eastern carriers remained the weakest-performing region due to the continued impact of the conflict.
Africa’s aviation market has continued to expand despite global headwinds, supported by increasing domestic and international travel across several key markets.
According to OAG’s June 2026 data, Egypt remains Africa’s largest aviation market, with airlines offering 2.7 million seats across domestic and international routes.
Nigeria recorded the fastest capacity growth among Africa’s top 10 aviation markets, with total seat capacity increasing by 21.3 per cent year-on-year, driven largely by domestic travel.
South Africa remains the continent’s largest domestic aviation market, with about 1.5 million seats available on scheduled flights.
Ethiopian Airlines retained its position as Africa’s largest airline by scheduled seat capacity, offering 1,978,001 seats in June 2026.
