Global air cargo demand hits record high in 2024: IATA

Global air cargo demand reached record levels in 2024, driven by strong e-commerce activity and disruptions in ocean shipping, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK) increased 11.3 per cent from 2023, surpassing the previous record set in 2021. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), rose 7.4 per cent year-over-year. While average yields declined 1.6 per cent compared to 2023, they remained 39 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

“Air cargo was the standout performer in 2024, with airlines moving more cargo than ever before,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh. “Strong e-commerce and ocean shipping restrictions, combined with airspace limitations on key long-haul routes, helped sustain high yields.”

Regional performance varied, with Asia-Pacific airlines leading growth at 14.5 per cent, followed by Middle Eastern (13 per cent) and Latin American (12.6 per cent) carriers. North American airlines recorded the lowest annual growth at 6.6 per cent.

December ended the year on a strong note, with global demand up 6.1 per cent year-over-year and capacity rising 3.7 per cent. Cargo yields for the month were 6.6 per cent higher than December 2023.

Looking ahead, IATA projects air cargo demand to grow 5.8 per cent in 2025, though the industry faces potential challenges from geopolitical shifts and tariff policies.