Air Cargo Demand up by 6 percent worldwide, As Africa leads with 13.3 percent year-on-year growth

The International Air Transport Association has released data for May 2026 global air cargo markets indicating an increase of 6.0 percent in total demand.

Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 6.0 percent this year compared to the same period of May 2025 levels (6.5 percent for international operations).

Capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 1.9 percent compared to May 2025 (2.8 percent for international operations).

Air cargo demand grew 6 percent year-on-year in May, with Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North American regions all reporting above trend growth. Carriers in the Middle East, however, reported a combined contraction of 8.9 percent year-on-year as war-related impacts continued.

The May 2026 strong performance coupled with macro-economic factors give cautious optimism for air cargo’s prospects over the remainder of the year.

Trade and manufacturing output are both growing.

Airlines have adapted operations to align with shifting demand patterns and supply chain needs.

Meanwhile, yield growth and higher load factors are helping to recoup higher fuel costs.

It’s still a tough year, particularly as Middle East uncertainties weigh heavily on parts of the industry, but robust demand and airline resilience are clear,” said Willie Walsh, the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Director General.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

Global trade increased by 5.0 percent year-on-year, extending 25 months of consecutive annual growth.

Jet fuel prices fell by 16.3 percent month-on-month in May but remained 93.5 percent above year-earlier levels.

Global manufacturing activity remained supportive in May, but export orders weakened.

The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.5, while the New Export Orders Index stayed below the 50-mark at 49.6, suggesting air cargo growth was supported by selected trade flows rather than a broad-based rise in global exports.

May Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw an 8.0 percent year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in May 2026.

Capacity increased by 5.1 percent year-on-year.

North American carriers saw a 10.5 percent year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in May.

Capacity increased by 2.4 percent year-on-year.

European carriers saw a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 2.2 percent year-on-year.

Middle Eastern carriers saw an 8.9 percent year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in May, the weakest performance of all regions.

Capacity decreased by 9.2 percent year-on-year.

Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 1.9 percent year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in May.

Capacity increased by 5.6 percent year-on-year.

African airlines saw a 13.3 percent year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in May, the strongest performance of all regions.

Capacity increased by 1.3 percent year-on-year. 

Trade Lane Growth

Air cargo performance diverged across major trade lanes in May.

Asia-North America led growth followed by Africa-Asia, intra-Europe and Europe-Asia.

In contrast, Gulf-linked corridors were still severely disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents over 370 airlines accounting for some 85 percent of global air traffic.

Explanation of measurement terms:

CTK: cargo tonne-kilometres measures actual cargo traffic

ACTK: available cargo tonne-kilometres measures available total cargo capacity

CLF: cargo load factor is % of ACTKs used

IATA statistics cover international and domestic scheduled air cargo for IATA member and non-member airlines.

Total cargo traffic market share (2025) by region of carriers in terms of CTK is: Asia-Pacific 35.8%, Europe 21.4%, North America 24.6%, Middle East 13.2%, Latin America and Caribbean 2.9%, and Africa 2.1%.