The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that air cargo demand in November rose 5.5% year-on-year , driven mainly by early holiday shopping and other factors, with a strong finish expected for 2025.

“Strong demand from emerging markets and selective growth in the Middle East more than offset weakness in the Americas amid ongoing adjustments to the new US tariff regime. Globally, the fourth quarter for air cargo was resilient, as strategic trade redirection influenced performance in key markets. The strong finish for 2025 bodes well for the air cargo industry as we begin the new year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Meanwhile, global cargo capacity (available cargo tonne-kilometers, ACTK) increased 4.7% year-on-year, supporting a load factor (CLF) of 49.1%, 0.4 percentage points higher than in November 2024.

In cumulative figures up to November, IATA specified that they show an increase of 3.3% , which underlines the continued resilience of international air cargo transport.

During that month, Asia-Pacific airlines experienced a 10.3% year-over-year increase in air cargo demand. Capacity increased by 8.4% year-over-year.

Latin American and Caribbean airlines experienced a year-on-year decline of 4.8% , the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity decreased 3% year-on-year.

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El cargo Holiday season and emerging markets boost air cargo in November 2025 apareció primero en T21.

The National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) warned in a statement that the announcement by groups of farmers and transporters to resume these actions will cause serious harm to the population, the economy, and the supply chain , as these measures are outside of institutional channels and violate the right to free transit.

The concern is significant. T21 has documented in various forums how highway blockades have caused logistical disruptions in at least 14 states across the country , with simultaneous closures on strategic corridors such as Mexico-Puebla, Mexico-Querétaro, Arco Norte, Puebla-Veracruz, the Western Highway, Siglo XXI, and various access points to metropolitan areas, customs offices, and international border crossings.

In those events, disruptions to cargo traffic resulted in delays in the distribution of goods, increased operating costs, impacts on exports and imports, and disruption of production chains , especially in sensitive sectors such as food, fuel, industrial inputs, and medicines.

Canacar emphasized that the potential reactivation of the blockades is particularly serious given its timing during the holiday season, a period characterized by high logistical demand and heavy traffic on federal and state highways. The paralysis of these roads, the organization noted, could lead to traffic chaos, security risks, and negative impacts on tourism, commerce, and the millions of families who travel during this time of year.

In previous experiences, the impact has not been limited to the transport sector. Repeated blockades forced companies to rethink routes, assume higher expenses for fuel, man-hours, and storage , in addition to facing penalties for logistical non-compliance, in an environment already pressured by high costs and tight margins.

The Chamber reiterated that freight transport is a strategic link for the country’s functioning , as it moves the majority of essential goods. Any deliberate disruption to its operation immediately compromises the stability of the supply chain, particularly during peak demand periods.

Canacar called on the authorities to safeguard the rule of law and urged dissenting groups to prioritize institutional dialogue and legality, stating that highways should be spaces for mobility and development, not for pressure or confrontation.

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El cargo Canacar warns about the impact of highway blockades during the holiday season apareció primero en T21.