Global Air Cargo Demand Rises 8.5% in June

Global air cargo demand increased by 8.5% year-on-year in June 2026, supported by strong demand for high-value technology products and urgent shipments, according to new data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 8.5% compared with June 2025, while international operations recorded stronger growth of 9.6%.

Cargo capacity also expanded during the month, with available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) increasing by 4.4% globally and 4.9% for international operations.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh said air cargo demand showed positive momentum, with growth exceeding capacity expansion in most regions.

“Air cargo demand grew 8.5% year-on-year in June. While North America was the strongest contributor to growth, demand in all regions was in positive territory compared to last year,” Walsh said.

He added that the outlook for the second half of 2026 remained positive, but risks remained due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and renewed tariff concerns in the United States.

Trade and Manufacturing Trends

Global trade growth reached 5.2% year-on-year, while air cargo demand continued to benefit from specialised shipments, including technology products and time-sensitive deliveries.

Jet fuel prices declined by 20% in June compared with the previous month but remained 45.8% higher than the same period last year.

Manufacturing activity slowed slightly during June but continued to support air cargo demand. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped 0.5 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index remained below the 50-point mark for the fourth consecutive month at 49.4.

IATA said the figures suggest that air cargo growth was driven mainly by specific trade flows rather than a broad-based increase in global exports.

Regional Performance

North American airlines recorded the strongest growth, with air cargo demand increasing 13.1% year-on-year in June. Capacity rose by 6.2%.

Asia-Pacific carriers reported a 7.9% increase in demand, with capacity growing 4.3%.

European airlines saw demand rise 6.9%, while capacity increased 3.7%.

Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 5.6% increase in air cargo demand, with capacity rising 2.5%. IATA noted that the figures were partly influenced by a weaker comparison period in June 2025, when regional airlines faced disruptions linked to military conflict.

Latin American and Caribbean airlines recorded the lowest growth among regions, with demand increasing 3.5%, while capacity expanded 9.8%.

African carriers saw demand grow 4.7%, although capacity declined by 7.1%.

Trade Routes Show Mixed Performance

Major air cargo routes recorded varying levels of growth in June.

The Asia–North America corridor recorded the strongest expansion, followed by intra-Asia, Europe–Asia, and Africa–Asia routes.

However, Gulf-linked cargo corridors continued to face disruptions due to ongoing instability in the Middle East.

IATA said the overall results provide optimism for the air cargo industry in the coming months, while geopolitical tensions and trade policy changes remain key challenges.