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IATA reported (31-Aug-2026) global demand in RPKs increased 0.2% year-on-year in Jul-2026. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew 1.2% and capacity in ASKs increased 0.3%. The passenger load factor was 85.2%, down 0.1pp. International demand fell 0.1%, but grew 1.5% excluding the Middle East. International capacity was up 0.3% and the passenger load factor was 85.2%, down 0.3pp. Domestic demand grew 0.6% and capacity increased 0.2%. Domestic load factor was 85.3%, up 0.3pp. IATA SVP sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen stated: "The peak Northern summer travel season is a mostly positive story for air travel", noting overall growth of 0.2% was achieved "despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East". Ms Thomsen continued: "Notably, traffic through the Gulf hubs continues its recovery trajectory. Although high fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue, carriers are expressing confidence in demand for the last part of the year with an almost 3% expansion of seat capacity in September". [more - original PR]

Riyadh Air established (27-Aug-2026) a connection with Saudia's passenger service system (PSS), enabling the airlines to commence codesharing. Riyadh Air will codeshare on Saudia services connecting Riyadh to Abha, Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah and Tabuk. Saudia plans to codeshare on Riyadh Air services "to destinations that offer additional connectivity and schedule option choices for Saudia's guests". In the coming months, the airlines plan to introduce reciprocal accrual and redemption opportunities for Sfeer and Alfursan loyalty programme members, and a lounge access agreement for eligible guests at key airports in Saudi Arabia. [more - original PR]

TAP Air Portugal announced (30-Aug-2026) the appointment of José Eduardo Moreira as chief operating officer (COO), effective 01-Sep-2026. Mr Moreira previously served as general manager of maintenance and engineering, and succeeds Mário Chaves, who resigned from the role. TAP's board also includes chairman Carlos Nuno Alves de Oliveira, CEO Luis Manuel da Silva Rodrigues, Ana Teresa Cunha de Pinho Tavares Lehmann, João Pedro da Conceição Duarte, José Eduardo Russo Moreira, José Mario Cruz Henriquez, Maria João Santos Gomes Cardoso, Patrício Ramos Castro, Renato Teobaldo Rodrigues Inácio and Sofia Norton dos Reis Lufinha de Mello Franco. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Portuguese]

Flughafen Zurich AG reported (28-Aug-2026) investments of CHF268.7 million (EUR286.65 million) in property, equipment, projects in progress, investment property and airport operator projects in 1H2026. The company allocated CHF202.3 million (EUR215.82 million) to Zurich Airport for infrastructure projects, including Dock A development, landside passenger zone enhancements and baggage sorting system refurbishment and expansion. Zurich Airport expects to handle 33 million passengers in 2026, up 3% year-on-year. Investments at the Zurich site are expected to reach approximately CHF400 million (EUR426.73 million) in 2026, with CHF100 million (EUR106.68 million) expected at subsidiaries abroad. Flughafen Zurich aims to generate revenues of over CHF3 billion (EUR3.20 billion) by 2040, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of over 5%. [more - original PR]

Saudia and Garuda Indonesia signed (27-Aug-2026) a joint business framework agreement, expanding a MoU signed in Jul-2026. The planned joint business will create a broader travel corridor connecting Indonesia and Australia with Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. The airlines' networks currently provide access to more than 120 destinations across these markets, with potential to expand connectivity through new routes and direct services to additional destinations. The partnership is expected to include full fare combinability, joint commercial initiatives, and closer cooperation across frequent flyer programmes, technology and airport services. The partnership will also prioritise Hajj and Umrah travel from Indonesia. The airlines will commence the regulatory approval process and proceed with the development of the remaining agreements required ahead of the planned launch of the joint business in 2027. [more - original PR]

IATA stated (28-Aug-2026) global jet fuel prices rose by 121% between Apr-2025 and Apr-2026, but not all airlines faced the same increase in their fuel costs. Details include:

• Jet fuel is priced predominantly in US dollars, while many airlines earn most their revenue in a range of other currencies, so exchange rate movements "either amplified or mitigated the impact". Differences in regional jet fuel benchmarks meant that fuel prices did not rise by the same amount everywhere. As a result, the same global jet fuel shock translated into different outcomes across airline markets;
• The largest jet fuel cost increases were recorded in markets where the regional jet fuel prices rose strongly, and where currencies weakened against the US dollar. Japan was among the most severely impacted, with an increase of 173% in the local currency price of jet fuel, driven by a 148% rise in the regional jet fuel price and a 10% depreciation of the yen. The local jet fuel price jumped by 170% in India, also due to an above average local jet fuel price and currency depreciation;
• Several markets were partially shielded from the shock due to currency appreciation. The Brazilian real and the Mexican peso appreciated by approximately 15% against the US dollar, which, together with a "less severe" increase in the regional jet fuel price, limited the rise in the local currency price of jet fuel to 86%;
• In the euro area, the stronger euro helped reduce the increase to 118%;
• China was an exception, despite a stronger renminbi against the dollar, above average regional fuel price increases left airlines facing a local currency fuel price increase of 132%. [more - original PR]