Global air cargo demand rises in August: IATA

Global air cargo demand rose 4.1 per cent in August compared with the same month last year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in its latest release.

Capacity grew 3.7 per cent year-over-year, while international operations saw stronger gains in both demand and capacity.

“Air cargo demand grew 4.1 per cent in August, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. “Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimize the risk of tariff changes. And growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fueling stronger growth for the Europe–Asia, Within Asia, Africa–Asia and Middle East–Asia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of U.S. tariff policy.”

IATA noted that the global goods trade grew 5.4 per cent in July, while jet fuel prices were down 6.4 per cent in August, continuing more than a year of declines. Global manufacturing sentiment also rebounded, though export order confidence remained weak.

Regionally, Africa led with an 11 per cent year-over-year increase in demand, followed by Asia-Pacific at 9.8 per cent. North American carriers recorded the weakest performance, with demand falling 2.1 per cent.