Global Air Cargo Demand Rises 6% in May, IATA Reports

TDT | Manama

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Global air cargo demand rose by 6.0% in May 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association.

The industry body said demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 6.5% for international operations, while available capacity (ACTK) rose by 1.9% year-on-year, reaching 2.8% growth in international capacity.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted that growth was broad-based across most regions, but highlighted significant weakness in the Middle East due to ongoing conflict-related disruptions.

“Air cargo demand grew 6% year-on-year in May, with Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America all reporting above-trend growth,” Walsh said. “However, Middle Eastern carriers recorded a combined contraction of 8.9%, reflecting continued war-related impacts.”

He added that while the environment remains challenging, improving trade conditions and airline adaptability are supporting a cautious recovery outlook for the remainder of the year.

Mixed global operating environment

Several macroeconomic indicators shaped the market performance. Global trade increased by 5.0% year-on-year, marking 25 consecutive months of growth. However, export demand showed signs of weakening.

Jet fuel prices declined by 16.3% month-on-month in May but remained 93.5% higher than a year earlier, continuing to pressure airline operating costs.

Manufacturing activity remained supportive overall, with the Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 53.5. However, the New Export Orders Index fell below the 50-point threshold at 49.6, indicating softer external demand and uneven global trade flows.