The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2026 global passenger demand with the following highlights:

• Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 3.8% compared to January 2025. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 3.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.0% (+0.2 ppt compared to January 2025), a record high for January.
• International demand rose 5.9% compared to January 2025. Capacity was up 5.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.5% (+0.1 ppt compared to January 2025).
• Domestic demand increased 0.1% compared to January 2025. Capacity was down -0.4% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.2% (+0.4 ppt compared to January 2025).

Specialty MGA, a subsidiary of the MNK Group, has initiated a strategic expansion into the Accident and Health (A&H) sector with the appointment of Neil Tayler as Senior Underwriter. This move is designed to establish a dedicated A&H portfolio catering to both UK and international markets. Tayler, a veteran with over 30 years of insurance experience, is tasked with leveraging his technical expertise in consumer and corporate schemes to build a book of business characterized by high-quality underwriting and innovative distribution. This expansion aligns with MNK Group’s broader objective of driving innovation in niche and underdeveloped insurance segments while providing additional capacity for hard-to-place risks.

PhilCare, a prominent Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in the Philippines, has entered into a strategic partnership with Verisk Life, Health and Travel to implement automated health underwriting. By integrating Verisk’s Health Risk Rating Tool into its online application process, PhilCare becomes the first HMO in the Philippines to deploy this technology at scale.