Air cargo demand enjoys ‘robust’ start to 2026, IATA reports
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for January 2026 global air cargo markets showing that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 5.6% compared to January 2025 levels.
IATA also says that capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.6% compared to January 2025.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said: “The demand for air cargo had a robust start to 2026, recording 5.6% year-on-year growth in January. At the regional level, the story is more polarised. Carriers in Africa, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe all reported faster growth than the global average. In contrast, carriers in the Americas reported aggregate contractions.”
Walsh added: “The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. In addition to the long-running uncertainties of evolving US trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will both weigh heavy on global supply chains.”
When looking at regional performances for January 2026, IATA reports that African airlines saw a 18.2% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo, the strongest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 6.5% year-on-year.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 7.8% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand, maintaining the region’s role as the primary engine of the industry expansion. Capacity increased by 3.3% year-on-year.
North American carriers saw a 0.5% year-on-year decline for air cargo. North America was the only region showing a capacity decrease, slightly declining by 0.2% year-on-year.
European airlines saw a 6.9% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo, and capacity increased 4.9% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo. Capacity increased by 9.9% year-on-year, the strongest rise of all regions.
Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 2.0% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo, the weakest performance of all regions. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 2.3% year-on-year.
In terms of trade lane growth, air freight volumes in January 2026 increased across most major trade corridors, with the notable exception of the Asia–North America route area.
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