Air traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean fell 2.3 percent in June

The air traffic volume in Latin America and the Caribbean declined by 2.3 percent in June 2026, according to data released by the Air Transport Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (ALTA). The region recorded 37.3 million passenger movements during the month, representing a decrease compared to June 2025, with approximately 893,000 fewer passengers. This marks the first monthly year-on-year decline in regional air travel since 2021. The drop was observed across all three segments of the market: domestic flights fell by 2 percent, intra-regional international flights decreased by 3 percent, and extra-regional international flights dropped by 2.7 percent. Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia were among the main markets affected, together accounting for nearly 65 percent of the regional traffic. These countries saw a total reduction of 517,000 passengers compared to June 2025. Mexico alone lost 293,000 passengers, a 3 percent decline, while Argentina experienced a sharper drop of 10.1 percent, equivalent to 238,000 fewer passengers, primarily due to a 17 percent decline in its domestic traffic. In contrast, Panama and the Dominican Republic helped offset some of these losses. Panama's passenger traffic increased by 10.9 percent, adding 187,000 more travelers, while the Dominican Republic saw a rise of 6.1 percent, contributing an additional 99,000 passengers. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), rose by 0.9 percent year-over-year. However, demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), declined by 1 percent. As a result, the occupancy rate stood at 81.6 percent, 1.6 percentage points lower than the same period in 2025. The June performance reflected a gap between supply and demand, highlighting challenges faced by the industry. This decline follows several months of slowing growth in regional air traffic. Although the monthly figure represents a shift from previous years' upward trend, the cumulative results for the first half of the year still show positive growth. From January to June 2026, the region transported 242.8 million passengers, 3.4 percent more than the same period in 2025, equating to eight million additional travelers. Peter Cerdá, CEO of ALTA, noted that after years of sustained growth, June marked the first annual decline in regional air traffic since 2021. He emphasized that while the first half of the year showed progress, the slowdown observed since April, combined with rising fuel costs, necessitates careful management. “Today more than ever, it is essential to avoid new burdens on air transport and promote policies that strengthen connectivity, investment, and competitiveness in the region,” he stated. Looking ahead, the aviation sector faces ongoing challenges, including economic pressures and environmental concerns. Efforts to transition toward net-zero emissions remain a key focus for policymakers and industry leaders. The recent data underscores the need for continued support and strategic planning to ensure sustainable growth in the region’s air transportation network.