IATA Reports Growth in Global Air Cargo Amid Challenges

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced an increase in global air cargo demand for April 2026, despite operational challenges and geopolitical repercussions affecting the Middle East, which have cast a shadow over international trade and global air transport networks.

Data from IATA revealed a 4% rise in total air cargo demand, measured in cargo ton-kilometers, compared to the same period in 2025. International operations also recorded the same growth rate. Conversely, available air cargo capacity declined by 0.4% year-on-year, while international capacity fell by 0.9%.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, stated that the air cargo sector continues to demonstrate its ability to adapt to global challenges. He noted that the increase in demand was primarily driven by robust trade flows linked to Asian markets.

However, Walsh highlighted that these positive results conceal a more complex operational reality, as the repercussions of events in the Middle East have reshaped some global trade routes and imposed restrictions on operational capacity in several key air corridors. He emphasized that specialized cargo aircraft have played a crucial role in maintaining global supply chain continuity during this period.

Mixed Economic Indicators

Regarding the economic environment surrounding the air cargo sector, data indicated a 2.1% decline in global trade volume for March compared to the previous month, following four consecutive months of growth. This reflects ongoing fragility in global commercial activity amid geopolitical tensions and economic fluctuations.

Additionally, jet fuel prices saw a sharp year-on-year increase of 121.1% in April, coinciding with a 77.7% rise in crude oil prices, leading to higher operating costs for airlines worldwide.

Despite these pressures, the global manufacturing sector maintained positive performance; the Global Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 53.4 points, an increase of 1.9 points compared to March, while the new export orders index recorded 50.2 points. Both indices remaining above the 50-point mark indicates continued supportive conditions for growth in air cargo service demand.

Asia Leads Global Growth

Regionally, airlines in the Asia-Pacific area led global growth rates with a 10.5% increase in air cargo demand year-on-year, supported by a 5.3% rise in available capacity.

European airlines reported a 6% growth in demand alongside a 3% increase in capacity, while North American carriers experienced a 5% rise in demand with a corresponding capacity increase of 1.2%.

In Africa, air cargo demand rose by 7.7% compared to last year despite a 9.4% decrease in capacity, reflecting strong demand for air transport services on the continent.

Conversely, airlines in Latin America and the Caribbean saw a decline of 2.8% year-on-year despite an increase of 1.2% in capacity.

Middle Eastern airlines exhibited the weakest performance among all regions, with demand plummeting by 18.2% compared to April 2025 and capacity declining by 22.9%, affected by ongoing regional events impacting flight operations and trade.

Trade Routes Reshape Air Cargo Landscape

IATA’s data indicated that trade routes between Africa and Asia recorded the strongest growth rates during April, followed by trade routes between Asia and Europe; intra-Asian cargo flows maintained robust activity levels.

In contrast, trade corridors linked to the Gulf region experienced notable disruptions due to geopolitical developments in the Middle East, leading to some global trade flows being redirected towards alternative routes and contributing to reshaping recent air cargo movement patterns.

Looking ahead, forecasts suggest that the air cargo sector will face significant tests amid geopolitical uncertainty and rising operating costs over the coming months; however, its resilience and adaptability continue to enhance its vital role in supporting international trade and ensuring continuity of global supply chains.