Global air cargo demand increased 3.9% year on year in July 2026, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), with African airlines recording the weakest regional growth at 1.1%.
Capacity across African airlines increased by 4.1% compared with July 2025, outpacing the growth in demand.
The global increase in demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), was accompanied by a 1.7% rise in capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK). International demand grew by 4.7%.
“Air cargo demand grew 3.9% year-on-year in July. While all regions recorded growth, airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America accounted for more than 90% of the overall increase. Dedicated freighters gained market share as belly-hold traffic declined, possibly reflecting demand for larger or specialist shipments and the operational flexibility that freighters can provide.
“Looking ahead, the outlook remains broadly positive, supported by manufacturing activity, export orders and global trade. However, higher fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty will need to be watched carefully,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
Africa–Asia trade lane contracts
While African airlines recorded year-on-year growth, trade between Africa and Asia weakened significantly in July.
The Africa–Asia trade lane contracted 14.7% year on year, marking its second consecutive month of contraction. The lane accounted for 1.3% of the industry’s market share based on full-year 2025 CTKs.
Other Gulf-linked trade corridors also remained under pressure. Europe–Middle East cargo traffic declined 16.1%, while Middle East–Asia fell 14.1%.
By contrast, Asia–North America recorded 9.2% growth, its sixth consecutive month of expansion. Within Asia, demand increased 6.1%, extending the trade lane’s growth streak to 33 consecutive months.
Fuel costs add pressure
The wider operating environment remained supportive of air cargo demand, although rising fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty could weigh on the market.
Global trade increased 7.5% year on year, while manufacturing activity remained supportive despite a slight easing in June. Export orders also reached their highest level in three months.
The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell 0.3 points to 52.7, while the New Export Orders Index rose to 50.0.
Jet fuel prices, however, increased 12.2% month-on-month in July and were 56.9% higher than a year earlier.
Regional air cargo performance
North American carriers recorded the strongest regional growth, with demand increasing 4.8% year on year. European carriers followed with 4.4%, while Asia-Pacific and Latin American and Caribbean airlines each recorded 4.1% growth.
Middle Eastern carriers recorded 1.7% growth, while African airlines posted 1.1%.
Capacity growth was more varied. Latin American and Caribbean carriers increased capacity by 7.0%, followed by Middle Eastern carriers at 4.0%, African airlines at 4.1%, Asia-Pacific at 3.0% and European carriers at 1.3%.
North American carriers reduced capacity by 1.5% year on year.
For the global air cargo market, Iata said the outlook remains broadly positive, supported by manufacturing activity, export orders and global trade, while fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty remain factors to monitor.
