Total airfreight demand (CTK) increased 5.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) from January 2025, encompassing both domestic and international air cargo, with the latter specifically growing by 7.2%.
The latest data by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) also found that capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 3.6% compared with January 2025 (+5.7% for international operations).
Iata Director General Willie Walsh says: “The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months.
“In addition to the long-running uncertainties of evolving US trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will both weigh heavy on global supply chains. Addressing these topics will add extra importance to discussions at the upcoming World Cargo Symposium in Lima.”
He says strengthening air cargo’s adaptability and efficiency through digitalisation and other measures will be a key focus at the March 10-12 event in Peru.
In its latest data statement, Iata points to several notable factors in the current operating environment: global goods trade grew by 4.9% y-o-y last December; jet fuel prices decreased 6.5% y-o-y in January; and global manufacturing sentiment started the year in a stronger position.
The global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose above the 50-point expansion threshold to 51.8, its highest level in over a year and a half, says Iata.
“The PMI for new export orders climbed to 49.9, slightly below the growth threshold but the highest in 10 months, reflecting mixed but cautiously optimistic industrial growth.”
Regionally, Africa is the torchbearer for strong growth, recording an 18.2% y-o-y increase in demand for air cargo in January.
Capacity increased by 6.5% year-on-year for African airlines, says Iata.
Breakdowns for other regions year-on-year are as follow:
- Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 7.8% growth in air cargo demand in January, maintaining the region’s role as the primary engine of the industry expansion. Capacity increased by 3.3%.
- North American carriers saw a 0.5% decline for air cargo in January. North America was the only region showing a capacity decrease, slightly declining by 0.2%.
- European airlines saw a 6.9% increase in demand for air cargo in January. Capacity increased 4.9%.
- Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.3% increase in demand for air cargo in January. Capacity increased by 9.9%, the strongest rise of all regions.
- Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 2.0% decrease in demand for air cargo in January, the weakest performance of all regions. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 2.3%.
