IATA: Global bookings up 6% for summer 2026 but travellers making shorter trips

IATA Economics reported (22-May-2026) global air ticket bookings made in Mar/Apr-2026 for travel between Jun-2026 and Sep-2026 increased 6% year-on-year, "despite the major disruption to travel caused by the war in Iran and the exceptionally high jet fuel prices". Details include:

• Total bookings:
  • Africa: -4%;
  • Asia Pacific: +32%;
  • Europe: -2%;
  • Latin America and Caribbean: +7%;
  • Middle East: -50%;
  • North America: +5%;
• Bookings for travel within regions outgrew bookings for travel to other regions, indicating that "more passengers choose to travel shorter distances";
  • Africa: Within region bookings increased 25% (from a low base) and other region bookings decreased 9%, driven predominantly by a drop in bookings to the Middle East and Asia Pacific;
  • Asia Pacific: Within region bookings increased 52% and other region bookings decreased 7%;
  • Europe: Within region bookings increased 2% and other region bookings decreased 8%;
  • Latin America and Caribbean: Within region bookings increased 8% and other region bookings increased 4%;
  • Middle East: Within region bookings decreased 66% and other region bookings decreased 46%;
  • North America: Within region bookings increased 7% and other region bookings remained flat. [more - original PR]