Global air cargo movement began 2026 with a growth of 5.6% compared to January 2025 , although with regional gaps and uncertainty due to US trade policies and the conflict in the Middle East, which will “weigh heavily” on global supply chains.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), also increased, registering a 3.6% year-on-year rise.
“Air cargo demand got off to a strong start in 2026. Regionally, the story is more polarized. Airlines in Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe reported faster-than-average growth. In contrast, carriers in the Americas reported aggregate contractions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
However, he said that the resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months, a situation that will be addressed at the upcoming IATA Global Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru, which will take place from March 10 to 12 , “where strengthening the adaptability and efficiency of air cargo through digitalization and other measures will be a key focus.”
In January 2026, African airlines experienced a year-on-year increase of 18.2% , the highest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 6.5% compared to the same month in 2025.
In contrast, North American airlines saw a 0.5% year-over-year decline . North America was the only region to show a decrease in capacity, with a slight year-over-year drop of 0.2%.
Those in Latin America and the Caribbean showed a decline of 2% in the comparison period, although they increased their capacity by 2.3% in January 2026 compared to the same period last year.
IATA indicated that air cargo volumes increased in most major trade corridors, with the exception of the Asia-North America route zone.
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