AFRICAN airlines recorded a 4.7 percent year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in June 2026, despite a decline in available cargo capacity, according to the latest data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The report showed that cargo capacity on the continent fell by 7.1 percent compared with June 2025, while the cargo load factor, the proportion of available capacity utilised, stood at 48.1 percent.
Globally, the air cargo industry maintained strong momentum during the month, with total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, rising by 8.5 percent year-on-year. International cargo operations recorded an even stronger growth of 9.6 percent.
Available cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres, increased by 4.4 percent globally, while international capacity grew by 4.9 percent.
Commenting on the performance, IATA Director General, Willie Walsh, said the industry remains on a positive growth trajectory despite lingering geopolitical and trade uncertainties.
“Air cargo demand grew 8.5 percent 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.
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“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 gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain, including continuing hostilities in the Middle East and renewed tariff concerns in the United States,” Walsh said.
The report noted that global trade expanded by 5.2 percent year-on-year during the period, while jet fuel prices declined by 20 percent compared with the previous month, although they remained 45.8 percent higher than the levels recorded a year earlier.
IATA also stated that global manufacturing activity moderated slightly in June but continued to support cargo demand. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) eased by 0.5 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index remained below the 50-point threshold for the fourth consecutive month at 49.4, suggesting that growth in air cargo was being driven by specific trade corridors rather than a broad-based increase in global exports.
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