IATA: Global air cargo demand rises 4.4pc in August despite capacity dip

IATA senior vice president sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen said air cargo demand rose 4.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in August, with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1 per cent. — AFP pic

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 12:32 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Total global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 4.4 per cent in August 2026 compared with August 2025, with international operations recording a 5.3 per cent increase, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), decreased by 0.1 per cent compared with August 2025, while capacity for international operations increased by 0.1 per cent.

IATA senior vice president sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen said air cargo demand rose 4.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in August, with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1 per cent.

“Strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines to recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs.

“Yields rose month-on-month (m-o-m) for the first time since April, while global goods trade growth continues. Both are positive signs as the year-end peak season comes into view,” she said in the statement.

The association said several factors in the operating environment should be noted, among them a six per cent y-o-y increase in global trade in July, extending the run of consecutive monthly expansions to 33 months.

Meanwhile, IATA said jet fuel prices rose by 8.3 per cent m-o-m in August and were 79.2 per cent higher than a year earlier.

It also noted that global manufacturing activity increased in August, as the Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index rose 0.3 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index increased 1.4 points to 51.4. Both indicators remained supportive of air cargo demand.

In August, it said Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 4.3 per cent y-o-y increase in air cargo demand, while capacity grew by 1.2 per cent.

“North American carriers recorded the strongest growth among all regions, with air cargo demand increasing 6.6 per cent y-o-y in August. Capacity, however, decreased by 2.5 per cent.

“European carriers recorded a 4.1 per cent y-o-y increase in air cargo demand in August, while capacity declined by 3.5 per cent,” it said.

Meanwhile, Middle Eastern carriers recorded a one per cent y-o-y increase in air cargo demand in August, the weakest growth among all regions. Capacity increased by 3.3 per cent.

“Air cargo performance varied across major trade lanes in August, with the Asia-North America route recording the strongest growth, followed by intra-Asia, Europe-North America and Europe-Asia routes,” it said.

In contrast, IATA added that Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in West Asia. — Bernama