Perth, May 28: Global air passenger demand fell 3.4 per cent in April 2026 as conflict in the Middle East continued to impact international aviation, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA said airlines in the Middle East recorded a sharp 46.6 per cent decline in passenger demand during the month, dragging down overall global traffic figures. Excluding the Middle East, global demand would have increased by 1.2 per cent year-on-year.
International passenger demand fell 5.3 per cent globally, while domestic demand remained flat. The association also noted that jet fuel prices more than doubled in April, contributing to rising airfares and reduced flight schedules.
The downturn came as Korean Air marked the 50th anniversary of its Seoul-Zurich route, which was first launched in July 1976 as the first direct air link between Korea and Switzerland.
To commemorate the milestone, Korean Air hosted a reception in Zurich attended by government representatives, airport executives and members of the Swiss-Korean community. The airline also announced it would deploy its Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on the Zurich route from June 2, 2026, featuring its new Prestige Suites 2.0 cabin product.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Board and Royal Brunei Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding during ITB China 2026 in Shanghai to strengthen regional connectivity and boost Sarawak’s international tourism visibility.
The partnership aims to improve accessibility into Sarawak and position the destination as the Gateway to Borneo through joint tourism promotion initiatives, trade collaborations and consumer engagement activities across China and North Asia.
The collaboration comes as Sarawak Tourism Board continues expanding its tourism outreach efforts in China, including launching a campus roadshow and student engagement programme with Qunar at Zhejiang International Studies University.
In Australia, Sydney Airport announced a new food and beverage precinct called The Rocks at the T2 Domestic terminal, set to open in July.
The precinct will feature hospitality brands including MoVida, ST. ALi and The Taphouse, offering travellers a mix of Spanish tapas, coffee and pub-style dining in a design-led communal space inspired by Sydney’s harbourside atmosphere.
Sydney Airport said the new 680-square metre dining destination forms part of its broader retail strategy to introduce more unique and premium experiences for domestic passengers.
Separately, Indigenous-owned Cooee Native Superfoods has become the exclusive Indigenous supplier to Qantas during National Reconciliation Week 2026.
The partnership will see 150,000 Nan’s Jam Drops featuring Davidson Plum served on domestic Qantas flights between May 27 and June 3 as part of the airline’s reconciliation initiatives.
Founded in 2023 by Wiradjuri woman Terri-Anne “Tezzi” Daniel, Cooee Native Superfoods recently acquired Adelaide-based Creative Native Foods, marking the first time the 25-year-old native ingredients business has become Indigenous-owned.
The acquisition expands Cooee’s supply network across Australia and strengthens Indigenous participation in the native food supply chain, with products now stocked across Qantas domestic flights, Woolworths Metro, Ampol Foodary, Drakes, Foodland, SPAR and selected IGA stores nationwide.
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