Global air cargo demand rose 5.5 per cent in July: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says global air cargo demand increased 5.5 per cent in July compared with the same month last year.

Capacity grew 3.9 per cent year-over-year, with international operations up 4.5 per cent.

“Most major trade lanes reported growth, with one significant exception: Asia–North America, where demand was down one per cent year-on-year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

Walsh pointed to a sharp decline in e-commerce after U.S. de minimis exemptions on small shipments expired, though he said the impact was likely offset by shippers frontloading goods ahead of rising tariffs.

A fifth of air cargo moves on the Europe–Asia lane, which logged its 29th consecutive month of expansion with a 13.5 per cent increase in July.

Regionally, Asia-Pacific airlines posted the strongest growth at 11.1 per cent, while North American carriers saw the weakest at 0.7 per cent. African airlines recorded 9.4 per cent growth.