The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed that 2025 marked an unprecedented year for air cargo, with global demand climbing to record highs. Overall demand rose 3.4 percent year-on-year, while international traffic expanded 4.2 percent. Capacity increased slightly faster, by 3.7 percent, keeping the cargo load factor broadly stable at 45.7 percent.
e-commerce continues to be a key engine of growth, driving volumes across multiple regions, alongside evolving trade policies, customs regulations, and adjustments in global supply chains. Notably, cargo flows are pivoting away from the traditional Asia–North America corridor, favouring Asia–Europe lanes, while intra-Asia and Middle East–Asia routes also saw robust activity. Despite a 1.5 percent decline in freight revenues, levels remain 37 percent above pre-pandemic 2019 benchmarks.
Willie Walsh, IATA Director General, said: “Air cargo remains a critical pillar of global supply chains. While we expect growth to moderate to 2.4 percent in 2026, the industry’s adaptability will be vital in responding to both economic and geopolitical headwinds.”
A strong start to 2026
January 2026 data shows the sector maintaining momentum. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 5.6 percent compared with the same month in 2025, with international operations up 7.2 percent. Capacity, or available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased 3.6 percent globally, with international ACTK up 5.7 percent.
Regional performance was varied: Africa recorded the strongest growth, with demand up 18.2 percent year-on-year, while the Middle East (+9.3 percent), Asia-Pacific (+7.8 percent), and Europe (+6.9 percent) also outperformed the global average. In contrast, North America (-0.5 percent) and Latin America (-2.0 percent) saw modest contractions. Load factors remained steady, ranging from 32.0 percent in Latin America to 54.1 percent in Europe.
“The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested,” Walsh added. “Ongoing US trade policy uncertainties and hostilities in the Middle East will weigh on global supply chains.”
Trade lanes and market dynamics
Shifts in trade corridors are notable. While the Asia–North America route experienced a slight dip of 0.6 percent, most other major lanes recorded substantial gains. Europe–Asia volumes climbed 15.2 percent, the Middle East–Asia route increased 12.9 percent, and intra-Asia traffic rose 14.3 percent. Africa–Asia saw the strongest surge, up 41.6 percent year-on-year.
The broader operating environment underpinned these trends. Global goods trade grew 4.9 percent in December 2025, while jet fuel prices fell 6.5 percent in January. Manufacturing sentiment improved, with the global Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching 51.8, signalling expansion, and export order sentiment hitting a ten-month high of 49.9.
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Author: Edward Hardy
