The truce on tariffs imposed by the U.S. government caused global air cargo movement to achieve a 2.2% increase last May compared to the same period in 2024, reported the International Air Transport Association (IATA) .
While capacity, measured in available freight tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 2% year-on-year.
“This is encouraging news, as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia-North America trade route illustrates the cushioning effect of changes in U.S. trade policies. Even as these policies evolve, we can already see the well-proven resilience of the air cargo sector, helping carriers adapt to supply chain needs to flexibly retain, redirect, or expedite deliveries,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
In its monthly report, it noted that increased tariffs and the elimination of the de minimis exemption have disrupted established air cargo flows, forcing carriers to adjust or redistribute capacity on certain routes.
In this regard, he said uncertainty remains high , impeding planning and optimization throughout the supply chain, and a further loss of momentum in the coming months cannot be ruled out.
“Technology, electronics, fashion, and consumer goods typically shipped between April and June, moving ahead of the summer retail cycle, were largely loaded earlier in the year as shippers accelerated deliveries to avoid the impact of incoming tariffs. Other goods are currently facing shipping delays, in some cases because production has shifted to countries with more favorable export conditions,” he said.
In contrast, North America posted the worst performance among regions , with a 5.8% year-over-year decline and a loss of 10.3 percentage points compared to April.
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