According to data for January released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) global air freight demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 5.6% compared to January 2025 levels (+7.2% for international operations).
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.6% compared to January 2025 (+5.7% for international operations).
"The demand for air cargo had a robust start to 2026, recording 5.6% year-on-year growth in January. At the regional level, the story is more polarized. Carriers in Africa, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe all reported faster growth than the global average. In contrast, carriers in the Americas reported aggregate contractions" said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.
North American carriers saw a 0.5% year-on-year decline for air cargo demand in January. North America was the only region showing a capacity decrease, slightly declining by 0.2% year-on-year.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 7.8% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in January, maintaining the region's role as the primary engine of the industry expansion. Capacity increased by 3.3% year-on-year.
European airlines saw a 6.9% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in January. Capacity increased 4.9% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in January. Capacity increased by 9.9% year-on-year, the strongest rise of all regions.
Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 2.0% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in January, the weakest performance of all regions. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 2.3% year-on-year.
African airlines saw a 18.2% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in January, the strongest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 6.5% year-on-year.
Source: IATA