Global air passenger demand falls 0.8% in August; Middle East carriers slump 14.6%

IATA data shows global air passenger demand contracted 0.8% year-on-year in August, driven by a 14.6% drop among Middle Eastern carriers amid regional conflict, while growth elsewhere slowed to 0.6%. The divergence highlights a sharp regional demand shock that could weigh on airline earnings and broader travel-related sectors, though the global impact is partially cushioned by resilience in other regions.