MUSCAT : The slowdown is attributed in part to seasonal shifts, including the leap year and the Lunar New Year moving to January this year.

Despite the moderation, February marked an all-time high for traffic volume, with the number of scheduled flights expected to rise further in March and April.

International travel grows:

International passenger demand increased by 5.6% compared to February 2024, outpacing capacity growth of 4.5%, and pushing the load factor up to 80.2% (+0.9 percentage points). Every region, except North America, recorded record-high February traffic levels.

Asia-Pacific airlines led with 9.5% growth, and the highest load factor at 85.7%.

European carriers saw 5.7% growth, with a load factor of 75.5%.

Middle East airlines, including those in Oman and the wider Gulf, posted 3.1% growth, with a strong 81.9% load factor.

African and Latin American carriers both recorded 6.7% growth.

In contrast, North American airlines experienced a 1.5% drop in demand, as well as a 3.2% decline in capacity, possibly linked to weakening consumer confidence in the U.S.

Domestic travel contracts slightly:

Domestic air travel fell by 1.9% year-on-year, impacted by shifting holiday calendars and economic trends.

China’s domestic traffic dipped 3.2%.

U.S. domestic travel saw a 4.2% decline.

India stood out with a 13.2% surge and a 90.3% load factor, the highest among major domestic markets.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh warned that while demand remains strong, regulatory reform is essential—particularly in Europe. Referring to the recent Heathrow shutdown, he criticized the EU261 passenger compensation regime, saying it unfairly penalizes airlines even when delays are due to infrastructure failures.