Air cargo demand increases 3.4% in 2025

Global air cargo demand was up 3.4% year on year in 2025, with international traffic rising by 4.2%, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

2025 trade lane data showed “a clear shift” in global air cargo flows from Asia–North America to Asia–Europe, which IATA attributed to tariff pressures and the removal of the US de minimis exemption. Within Asia, and the Middle East–Asia corridor also recorded strong growth, IATA noted.

Asia-Pacific airlines recorded the strongest growth with demand up 8.4% year on year and capacity rising 7.4%.

African carriers also posted solid results, with demand increasing 6.0%, while Europe and Latin America saw modest full-year demand growth of 2.9% and 2.3%, respectively,

Middle Eastern carriers saw modest annual demand growth of 0.3%. North America was the only region to see a decline, with demand down 1.3% in 2025.

IATA said it expects moderate growth of 2.4% in 2026, in line with historical trends.

Source: logisticsmanager.com