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Total demand for the global air cargo markets rose by 5.8% in April 2025 year-on-year (+6.5% for international operations), according to data from the International Air Transport Association
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Capacity rose by 6.3% compared to April 2024 (+6.9% for international operations)
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Year-on-year, world industrial production rose 3.2% in March and air cargo growth outpaced global goods trade, which increased by 6.5% over the previous month
Total demand for global air cargo markets, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTK), rose by 5.8% in April 2025 year-on-year (+6.5% for international operations), based on the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA data for April 2025 also show capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), rose by 6.3% compared to April 2024 (+6.9% for international operations).
Year-on-year, world industrial production rose 3.2% in March and air cargo growth outpaced global goods trade, which increased by 6.5% over the previous month
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said: “Air cargo demand grew strongly in April, with volumes up 5.8% year-on-year, building on March’s solid performance. Seasonal demand for fashion and consumer goods—front-loading ahead of US tariff changes—and lower jet fuel prices have combined to boost air cargo.”
Walsh also said that with available capacity at record levels and yields improving, the outlook for air cargo is “encouraging.”
While April brought good news, stresses in world trade are no secret, he also said, adding that shifts in trade policy, particularly in the US, are already reshaping demand and export dynamics.
As such, airlines will need to remain flexible as the situation develops over the coming months.
It is worth noting that jet fuel prices dropped 21.2% year-on-year and 4.1% month-on-month, the third consecutive monthly decrease.
Meanwhile, the global manufacturing PMI rose to 50.5 in April, signaling expansion for the fourth consecutive month. However, the PMI for new export orders fell 2.8 points to 47.2, remaining below the 50 threshold for growth.
Regional performance of air cargo for April 2025 was mixed.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 10.0% year-on-year demand growth, while capacity increased by 9.4% year-on-year.
North American carriers saw 4.2% year-on-year demand growth while capacity increased by 4.6% year-on-year.
For European carriers, 2.9% year-on-year demand growth was experienced. Capacity increased 3.3% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers, meanwhile, saw 2.3% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo, the slowest among the regions. Capacity increased by 5.5% year-on-year.
As for Latin American carriers, they saw a 10.1% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in April, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity went up 8.5% year-on-year.
African airlines saw a 4.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in April. Capacity increased by 9.7% year-on-year.
All international routes experienced trade lane growth in April, except for Middle East-Europe, Africa-Asia, and intra-European route, according to IATA.
