SouthAfrica, May 29 -- Global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), fell by 3.4% compared to April 2025, while total capacity declined by 2.9%, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

Excluding the Middle East, global demand would have increased by 1.2%.

International passenger demand declined by 5.3%, while domestic demand remained flat year-on-year.

"The 46.6% fall in demand for carriers in the Middle East due to war in the region was so acute that it dragged overall demand down -3.4%," said Willie Walsh, Iata's director general.

"The situation for air transport remains highly volatile. The cost of jet fuel more than doubled in April, which is pushing airfares up. Forward schedule...