Global air cargo demand up over eight per cent in June

Global air cargo demand increased 8.5 per cent year over year in June, with North American carriers leading regional growth, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, rose 8.5 per cent compared with June 2025, while international demand increased 9.6 per cent. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres, grew 4.4 per cent globally and 4.9 per cent for international operations.

“While North America was the strongest contributor to growth, demand in all regions was in positive territory compared to last year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. “Demand growth outpaced capacity at the global level and in all regions except Latin America and the Caribbean. Demand also grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value technology products and urgent shipments. While this all gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain—continuing hostilities in the Middle East and a renewed focus on tariffs by the U.S. among them.”

Global trade increased 5.2 per cent year-over-year, while jet fuel prices fell 20 per cent month-over-month in June but remained 45.8 per cent above year-earlier levels.

IATA said global manufacturing activity eased slightly in June but remained supportive of air cargo demand, while export orders weakened. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index fell 0.5 points to 53, while the New Export Orders Index remained below 50 for a fourth consecutive month at 49.4.

North American carriers posted the strongest regional performance, with air cargo demand rising 13.1 per cent year over year and capacity increasing 6.2 per cent.

Asia-Pacific airlines recorded 7.9 per cent demand growth and a 4.3 per cent increase in capacity. European carriers saw demand rise 6.9 per cent and capacity increase 3.7 per cent, while Middle Eastern carriers reported 5.6 per cent demand growth and a 2.5 per cent increase in capacity.

Latin American and Caribbean carriers posted the weakest demand growth at 3.5 per cent, while capacity increased 9.8 per cent. African airlines saw demand rise 4.7 per cent, while capacity fell 7.1 per cent.

Among major trade lanes, Asia-North America recorded the strongest growth in June, followed by intra-Asia, Europe-Asia and Africa-Asia. Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East.