Chart of the Week

A Record Festive Season for Global Air Travel

16 January 2026

 Christmas and New Year are the peak periods for air travel. Millions return home to reunite with families or take advantage of the year-end holidays.

Airline Profits Hit Record High but Margins Stay Thin

19 December 2025

Airlines are projected to deliver a combined net profit of USD 41 billion in 2026, up from USD 39.5 billion in 2025. 

Passenger and cargo grow despite supply constraints

12 December 2025

Global air travel, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), has outpaced economic growth consistently over the past three decades, expanding on average 2.3 times faster than global GDP.

Ticket taxes increase return air ticket prices by USD 30

5 December 2025

Air transport passengers paid an estimated total of USD 60.4 billion in ticket taxes and charges in 2024 (see Specific taxes on the use of air transport).

2024 Aviation Emissions: Efficiency Gains vs. Rising Totals

28 November 2025

In 2024, the air transport emissions landscape reflected both progress and ongoing challenges. While operational efficiency improved, driven largely by higher load factors, absolute emissions continued to rise. 

The impact of exchange rates against USD on jet fuel costs

21 November 2025

The first chart of the week, a decade ago, showed that jet fuel price declines had uneven impacts across economies due to fluctuations in local currencies against the US dollar. This matters because fuel procurement is typically settled in USD.

The need for smarter ESG reporting requirements

14 November 2025

Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting regulations are emerging worldwide. As shown in the chart, over 60 countries have implemented mandatory disclosures, while others are in the process of developing them. 

Novel CDR: gaining traction with each year

7 November 2025

Purchases of novel CDR credits have significantly increased since 2023, and the first half of 2025 marked the highest volume of CDR purchases yet in a year, approximately 16 million credits. 

ICAO 42nd Assembly – Key environment-related outcomes

31 October 2025

The 42nd ICAO Assembly was held in Montréal, Canada, from September 23 to October 3, 2025. On environmental matters, IATA was pleased to note that the Assembly reaffirmed the commitment of Member States to achieving net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050, underpinned by concrete actions. 

The impact of vPM on contrail-cirrus radiative forcing

24 October 2025

Contrails are known to have a global net warming climate impact. Aircraft gas turbine engines emit a mixture of particulate matter, including both non-volatile (nvPM) and volatile particulate matter (vPM), which contribute to the formation of contrails.

The world’s two most populous nations to resume direct flights

17 October 2025

The India–China air corridor is reopening for passengers after a five-year suspension, marking a notable step toward renewed cooperation between the world’s two most populous nations and two of Asia’s largest economies.

The evolving US federal support for biofuels

10 October 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) continues and even prolongs federal support for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), but priorities shift toward domestic biofuel and agricultural support.

The US Government Shutdown

3 October 2025

The US federal government entered a full shutdown at midnight on 1 October 2025, having failed to reach an agreement granting the government spending authority. 

Regional Leadership for Global Impact: Accelerating SAF Deployment

26 September 2025

The air transport industry will require around 500 Mt of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2050 to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions.

Biomass feedstocks are the key to SAF scale-up

19 September 2025

Global biomass feedstocks are expected to be the key resource for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production through 2050. 

From Disruption to Constraint: The aircraft delivery dilemma

12 September 2025

As CORSIA is a route-based mechanism, more States participating in CORSIA imply higher coverage of international aviation emissions under the scheme.

Vertical deals dominate airline Mergers and Acquisitions landscape

5 September 2025

After a sharp drop in 2020, M&A activity in the airline sector rebounded strongly in 2021 and peaked in 2022.

The benefit of the EU ETS SAF allowances is limited

29 August 2025

With the intention to encourage the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in the European Union (EU), the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) SAF Allowance scheme was introduced to cover a certain portion of the SAF premium.

Mind the Gap: SAF Inclusion in Flight Emissions Data

22 August 2025

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is emerging as a key differentiator among airlines in reducing per-passenger flight emissions.

Europe’s widening jet fuel deficit challenges airlines’ fuel supply security

15 August 2025

Europe faces a persistent and widening deficit in jet fuel supply as its own production declines due to refinery closures, while demand continues to grow steadily. 

Growing airline engagement in SAF agreements

8 August 2025

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plays a central role in achieving the air transport industry’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Cost disadvantage of African airlines

31 July 2025

African airlines continue to face a steep cost disadvantage compared to their global peers.

The weaker US dollar provides relief for airlines in H1 2025

25 July 2025

The US dollar depreciated by 7% against its trading partners’ currencies over the first half of 2025, the steepest first‑half-year slide on record. 

Argentina’s Open Skies boosts the international market

18 July 2025

Argentina introduced an "Open Skies" policy in 2024, by signing over 14 new or revised international air service agreements, opening its airspace to greater competition and connectivity.

Powering DACCS: The Electricity the World Needs

11 July 2025

The air transport sector will require about 500 Mt of CO2 addressed through market-based measures (MBMs), which includes carbon dioxide removals technologies (CDR), such as direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), to reach net-zero CO2 emissions in 2050.

India’s drive to leverage air transport for economic development

4 July 2025

India is now the world’s 3rd largest air travel market, as measured by annual origin – destination (O-D) departures, which have more than doubled over the past decade.

War in the Middle East and Jet Fuel Supply

27 June 2025

The Middle East is a critical region for trade and exports of crude oil and middle distillates such as diesel, gasoil, and jet fuel.

How many aircraft are we missing?

20 June 2025

Aircraft shortages have become a severe capacity constraint, limiting airlines’ ability to satisfy growing demand.

Airline profits hold altitude in 2025 amid headwinds

13 June 2025

Airline profits are expected to hold up well this year despite ongoing supply chain disruptions and increasingly restrictive trade policies.

Asia Pacific is the engine of growth in 2025

6 June 2025

The demand for air travel is projected to grow by 5.8% in 2025, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK).

Excessive SAF Fees in the EU – a lost opportunity to abate 2.7
million tonnes of CO2

30 May 2025

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the key lever for airline net zero. However, the SAF market is still at a nascent stage, able to supply some 0.7% of total airline fuel consumption in 2025. 

Minimizing residual CO2 emissions in 2050

23 May 2025

Addressing residual CO2 emissions in air transport is imperative to reaching net-zero CO2 emissions in 2050, as reducing and replacing existing fossil-based fuel will not address 100% of total air transport CO2 emissions. 

Growth in Vietnam’s Air Passenger Market

16 May 2025

Vietnam has seen strong growth in its air transport market over the past decade. It has advanced from being Asia Pacific's 11th largest air passenger market in 2014 to the 8th largest in 2024.

Growing commitment to CORSIA

9 May 2025

As CORSIA is a route-based mechanism, more States participating in CORSIA imply higher coverage of international aviation emissions under the scheme.

Lifecycle analysis (LCA) and SAF sustainability

2 May 2024

Not all SAF is created equal. CORSIA, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, requires that a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) delivers a minimum emission savings of 10%.