The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that global passenger demand in February 2026, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased by 6.1% compared to February 2025.
Middle Eastern airlines led global air cargo growth in January, helping lift worldwide demand 5.6% year-on-year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in its report, as the sector opened 2026 on a firm footing despite geopolitical and trade headwinds.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects global air passenger demand will more than double by 2050, reaching about 20.8 trillion RPKs under a mid-range 3.1% CAGR, with scenarios ranging from 19.5 to 21.9 trillion RPKs depending on growth rates.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in air cargo with three initiatives to improve operational efficiency, strengthen safety and compliance, and accelerate innovation across the global air cargo value chain.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2025 Safety Report showed solid aviation safety performance, with the all-accident rate improving to 1.32 per million flights from 1.42 in 2024, slightly above the 2021–2025 average of 1.27.
Air cargo played a key role in supporting global trade and economic growth in 2025 as companies navigated heightened trade policy uncertainty, according to IATA. It enabled the front-loading of $157 billion US imports and carried two-thirds of global AI-related goods by value in Q1.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opened nominations for the 2026 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards, recognising an inspirational female leader, a high-achieving female professional under 40, and an airline driving measurable diversity progress.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled its 2026 event calendar, bringing together industry and government leaders to focus on the air transport industry’s most pressing challenges.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2026 forecast predicts the Middle East will lead global airline profitability, with carriers achieving a 9.3% net profit margin and $28.6 profit per passenger, far exceeding global averages of 3.9% and $7.9, highlighting the region’s strong aviation performance.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) latest outlook projects global airlines to earn $41 billion in net profit in 2026, up from $39.5 billion in 2025. Despite the record profit, the net margin remains 3.9%, with net profit per passenger at $7.90, unchanged from 2025.
