Global air cargo demand rises in January, as North American demand falls

International Air Transport Association (IATA) says global air cargo demand rose 5.6 per cent in January compared with the same month a year earlier, marking a strong start to 2026.

The association said total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, increased 5.6 per cent year-over-year, while international operations rose 7.2 per cent. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres, climbed 3.6 per cent overall and 5.7 per cent for international operations.

“At the regional level, the story is more polarized. Carriers in Africa, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe all reported faster growth than the global average. In contrast, carriers in the Americas reported aggregate contractions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

“The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. In addition to the long-running uncertainties of evolving U.S. trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will both weigh heavy on global supply chains.”

IATA said global goods trade grew 4.9 per cent year-over-year in December 2025, while jet fuel prices fell 6.5 per cent in January compared with a year earlier.

Global manufacturing sentiment also strengthened in January, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index rising to 51.8, above the 50-point expansion threshold. The index for new export orders reached 49.9, just below the growth mark.

Regionally, Asia-Pacific airlines posted a 7.8 per cent increase in demand, with capacity up 3.3 per cent. European carriers saw demand rise 6.9 per cent and capacity increase 4.9 per cent.

Middle Eastern airlines reported a 9.3 per cent increase in demand and a 9.9 per cent rise in capacity, the strongest capacity growth among regions.

North American carriers recorded a 0.5 per cent decline in demand and were the only region to report a drop in capacity, down 0.2 per cent.

Latin American and Caribbean airlines saw demand fall two per cent, while capacity rose 2.3 per cent.

African airlines posted the strongest demand growth at 18.2 per cent, with capacity increasing 6.5 per cent.

IATA said air freight volumes increased across most major trade corridors in January, with the exception of the Asia–North America route area.