Driven by trade flows with Asia , global air cargo grew 4% in April compared to the same period last year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported.

He explained that Asia-Pacific airlines experienced a 10.5% year-on-year increase in cargo demand, the largest increase of any region. Capacity increased by 5.3% year-on-year.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, mentioned, however, that this positive result masks a more complex operational scenario.

“The severe disruptions to major Gulf (Persian) hubs caused by the conflict in the Middle East continue to force the reconfiguration of trade routes and limit capacity in key corridors. With cargo aircraft taking on much of the growth, air freight is once again ensuring the continuity of supply chains in a scenario marked by trade disruptions. The coming months will test the sector’s ability to cope with the ongoing climate of geopolitical uncertainty and rising operating costs,” he said.

However, in its report it mentioned that despite the growth in demand, capacity – measured in available cargo kilometer tonnes (ACTK) – contracted by 0.4% year-on-year, while international operations contracted by 0.9%.

IATA explained that among the factors that influenced cargo behavior last April were that world trade contracted by 2.1% in March compared to the previous month after four consecutive months of growth, which underscores the fragility of the trade momentum in the face of geopolitical tensions.

As did aviation fuel prices that month, with a year-on-year increase of 121.1%, along with a 77.7% increase in crude oil prices.

During that month, Middle Eastern airlines experienced the largest year-on-year decline, with an 18.2% drop in air cargo demand in April—the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity decreased by 22.9% year-on-year.

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Despite political uncertainty and the imposition of tariffs driven by the United States, global air cargo demand performed solidly during 2025, with year-on-year growth of 3.4%, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported .

The agency detailed that the annual capacity measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK) increased by 3.7% during the previous year compared to 2024.

“The global strength of e-commerce boosted volumes, even as trade relations with the United States faced increased tariffs, the elimination of de minimis tariff exemptions, and continued political uncertainty. Air freight rose to the challenge. It adapted quickly to support global businesses and supply chains as they anticipated product deliveries ahead of tariff impositions and adjusted to increased demand within Asia and between Asia and Europe as US-Asia trade stalled,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

He mentioned that annual yields decreased by 1.5% year-on-year , representing the smallest decline in three years, as a balance between supply and demand was achieved. In this regard, he emphasized that despite competitive pressure limiting air cargo pricing power, yields remained 37.2% above 2019 levels.

Regarding December 2025, IATA stated that global demand was 4.3% higher than the levels of the same month in 2024 , and 5.5% higher for international operations. Global capacity was 4.5% higher year-on-year, and 6.4% higher for international operations.

Willie Walsh predicted that growth in 2026 is expected to moderate slightly to 2.4% , in line with historical trends.

“We can expect demand to continue to be shaped by trade and geopolitical developments. Whatever trade pattern emerges, we can be confident that the reliance on air transport to keep global supply chains running will remain sufficient, with airlines rising to the challenge, deploying capacity, and designing their networks for maximum flexibility,” Walsh said.

Asia-Pacific airlines experienced an 8.4% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in 2025, the strongest among the regions. Capacity increased 7.4% year-on-year, and by December had risen 9.4%, while capacity saw an 8.3% increase.

In contrast, North American demand fell 1.3% year-on-year , the only regional decline and the weakest performance globally. Capacity decreased 1.1% year-on-year. Year-on-year demand in December fell 2.2%, and capacity fell 2.6%.

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Global air cargo movement continued its fifth month of growth, as it recorded an 11.1% year-on-year increase in April, reported the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Meanwhile, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 7.1% compared to the same period in 2023 (10.2% for international operations).

“Air cargo demand started the second quarter with a solid 11.1% increase. While many economic uncertainties persist, it appears that the roots of strong air cargo performance are deepening,” said Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA.

In a statement, it was noted that in recent months, air cargo demand has grown even when the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicated the potential for contraction. “Now that the PMI indicates growth, the outlook continues to be more solid.”

It was highlighted that in April alone, the PMIs for global manufacturing production and new export orders were positive (51.5 and 50.5, respectively). This marks the first time in two years that they have recorded growth.

Similarly, inflation remained relatively stable in the United States, the European Union, and Japan, with rates of 3.4%, 2.6%, and 2.5%, respectively. China reported a year-on-year increase of 0.2% in consumer prices, a positive sign amidst concerns about the economic slowdown in the country.

Against this backdrop, airlines in the Asia-Pacific region experienced a 14% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in April, the strongest of all regions. Demand within the Asian market grew by 13.2% compared to the same month in 2023, and the Asia-Europe route grew by 17.7%.

The Middle East-Asia route increased by 10.4%, 9.5 percentage points less than the growth recorded in March. Capacity increased by 7.8% year-on-year.

As for North American airlines, they had the weakest increase among all regions, as they ended with a 7% rise in that period. Demand on the Asia-North America commercial route grew by 7.3% year-on-year, while that of North America-Europe experienced a 5.6% increase, the largest increase on this route since September 2022. April capacity increased by 4% year-on-year.

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El cargo Worldwide Air Cargo League Reaches its Fifth Month of Growth: IATA apareció primero en T21.

Global air cargo movement marked its fifth consecutive month of growth, as it recorded an 11.1% year-on-year increase in April, reported the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Meanwhile, capacity, measured in available tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 7.1% compared to the same period in 2023 (10.2% for international operations).

“Air cargo demand started the second quarter with a solid 11.1% increase. While many economic uncertainties persist, it appears that the roots of robust air cargo performance are deepening,” said Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA.

In a statement, it was highlighted that in recent months, air cargo demand has continued to grow even when the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicated potential contraction. “Now that the PMI indicates growth, the outlook remains more robust.”

It was pointed out that in April alone, the PMIs for global manufacturing production and new export orders were positive (51.5 and 50.5, respectively). This marks the first time in two years that they have recorded growth.

Similarly, inflation remained relatively stable in the United States, the European Union, and Japan, with rates of 3.4%, 2.6%, and 2.5%, respectively. China reported a year-on-year increase of 0.2% in consumer prices, a positive signal amid concerns about the economic slowdown in the country.

Against this backdrop, airlines in the Asia-Pacific region experienced a 14% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in April, the strongest of all regions. Demand within the Asian market grew by 13.2% compared to the same month in 2023, and the Asia-Europe route grew by 17.7%.

The Middle East-Asia route rose by 10.4%, 9.5 percentage points less than the growth recorded in March. Capacity increased by 7.8% year-on-year.

As for North American airlines, they saw the weakest increase among all regions, ending the period with a 7% rise. Demand on the Asia-North America commercial route grew by 7.3% year-on-year, while that from North America to Europe experienced a 5.6% increase, the largest increase on this route since September 2022. April capacity increased by 4% year-on-year.

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