Staff Writer
Global air cargo demand rose by 5.5% in November 2025 compared with the same month in 2024, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, increased as shipping activity picked up ahead of the year-end holiday season. Shippers continued to favour air transport for speed and reliability. International air cargo demand grew faster, rising by 6.9% year-on-year.
Cargo capacity also expanded during the month. Available cargo tonne kilometres increased by 4.7% compared with November 2024, while international capacity rose by 6.5%.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said the air cargo market remained resilient despite uneven regional performance and ongoing changes in global trade. He said strong demand from emerging markets and growth in the Middle East helped offset weaker results in the Americas, where airlines are adjusting to the new United States tariff regime. Walsh said the solid fourth-quarter performance points to a positive outlook for the industry going into 2026.
Several external factors shaped air cargo trends during the period. Global goods trade grew by 3.2% year-on-year in October. Jet fuel prices rose by 5.9% in November, even as crude oil prices declined. Higher fuel costs were linked to refinery disruptions, European Union restrictions on Russian-derived products and limited spare refining capacity. Global manufacturing sentiment also improved, with the purchasing managers’ index rising for a fourth straight month to 51.17, although new export orders remained below the growth threshold.
Regional results differed widely. Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 10.3% increase in air cargo demand, with capacity up 8.4%. European carriers saw demand rise by 5.8% and capacity by 4.1%. Middle Eastern airlines reported a 7.4% increase in demand, alongside an 11.0% rise in capacity.
North American carriers posted a 1.6% decline in cargo demand, with capacity down 2.3%. Latin American and Caribbean airlines recorded the weakest performance, with demand falling by 4.8% and capacity decreasing by 3.0%.
African airlines delivered the strongest growth globally. Air cargo demand rose by 15.6% year-on-year in November, while capacity expanded by 18.1%.
IATA said air freight volumes increased across all major trade corridors during the month, highlighting the continued role of air cargo in global supply chains.
Caption
Global cargo capacity expanded in November, according to the International Air Transport Association.
- Photo: Contributed
