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Global air cargo demand rose 8.5% in June 2026 year on year, outpacing capacity growth and signaling continued strength in the sector amid robust technology shipments and expanding global trade, according to the International Air Transport Association
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Capacity grew 4.4%
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For international operations, demand grew 9.6% while capacity was up 4.9%.
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North America posted the strongest regional growth at 13.1%, while all regions recorded positive demand growth
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Asia-Pacific airlines posted 7.9% cargo demand growth, with capacity up 4.3%
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IATA warned that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed U.S. tariff concerns continue to post risks to the industry’s outlook
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Asia-North America was the fastest-growing trade lane, while Gulf-linked routes continued to face disruptions from the Middle East conflict
Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, rose 8.5% in June 2026, outpacing capacity growth and signaling continued strength in the sector amid robust technology shipments and expanding global trade, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, increased by 4.4%.
For international operations, demand grew 9.6% while capacity was up 4.9%.
“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,” said Willie Walsh, IATA director general.
“Demand growth outpaced capacity at the global level and in all regions except Latin America and the Caribbean. Demand also grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value technology products, and urgent shipments. While this all gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain — continuing hostilities in the Middle East and a renewed focus on tariffs by the US among them,” he added.
READ: Global air cargo demand accelerates to 6% in May — IATA
Global trade grew 5.2% year on year during the month, while manufacturing activity remained supportive despite easing slightly.
Global manufacturing activity eased slightly but remained supportive, while export orders weakened. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index slipped 0.5 points to 53.0, and the New Export Orders Index remained below the 50-mark for a fourth consecutive month at 49.4, a sign, IATA said, that cargo growth was driven by specific trade flows rather than a broad-based rise in global exports.
Jet fuel prices fell 20% from the previous month but remained 45.8% higher than a year earlier.
Regional performance
By region, North American carriers posted the strongest performance with a 13.1% increase in cargo demand, followed by Asia-Pacific at 7.9%, Europe at 6.9%, the Middle East at 5.6%, Africa at 4.7%, and Latin America and the Caribbean at 3.5%.
Capacity increased across most regions, although African carriers recorded a 7.1% decline in available cargo capacity.
Among major trade lanes, Asia-North America recorded the fastest growth in June, followed by intra-Asia, Europe-Asia, and Africa-Asia routes. Gulf-linked corridors, however, remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East.
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