Is ACMI Leasing Facing a Global Slowdown Amid Airline Cost Pressures?

ACC Aviation reports an 18.9% decline in global ACMI leasing demand during Q2 2026 as airlines faced geopolitical uncertainty, rising costs, and weaker booking trends.

The global ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) industry saw a significant slowdown, with total block hours falling by 18.9% year over year when compared to the same time in 2025. ACC Aviation's most recent market study reveals notable regional and fleet segment variances that show a dynamic ACMI landscape rather than a uniform contraction, even though the downturn reflects broader market challenges across the aviation industry. According to ACC Aviation, geopolitical uncertainty across the Middle East, along with shifting airline operating strategies, lower booking trends, and rising cost pressures, contributed to decreasing ACMI leasing demand across numerous main markets.

“The market slowdown in Q2 was broadly anticipated given the external pressures affecting airline operations globally. ACMI demand has always responded quickly to shifts in airline confidence, network planning, and operational requirements, and this quarter demonstrated that dynamic clearly.” -  Dave Williams, Director of Leasing at ACC Aviation.

In Q2 2026, Europe continued to be the largest customer region for ACMI, accounting for 50% of worldwide demand; nevertheless, the company's overall market share decreased from 54% in Q2 2025 due to a 25.8% year-over-year reduction in total European block hours.

According to the reports tracked by CIO Bulletin, Asia showed more resilience, growing its overall market share to 23% despite a 7.3% year-over-year decline. Despite having a lower market base, South America saw the largest relative increase at 51% year over year, while North America saw the most regional contraction at 60%.

According to ACC Aviation's study, Q2 performance was also defined by shifting customer expectations. Reduced dependence on ACMI to counter operational disruption, particularly related to engine availability difficulties, contributed to lower utilisation across areas of the narrow body market. Avion Express Malta, which ran the most ACMI block hours in 2024 and 2025, is a prime example of the narrowbody ACMI market collapse. Looking at Q2 2026, there was a 57% year-on-year decrease for Avion Express Malta compared with 2025, and a 90% decrease for Avion Express Lithuania. This aligns with Avion Express's deliberate fleet reduction during this time due to market constraints.