Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"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.
The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. In addition to the long-running uncertainties of evolving US trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will both weigh heavy on global supply chains." -Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
In terms of air passenger demand, the new data for January 2026 shows total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 3.8% compared to January 2025.
Full analysis:
2026 Begins with 3.8% Air Passenger Demand Growth
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-03-02-02
Air Cargo Demand up 5.6% in January 2026
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-03-02-01
"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.
The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. In addition to the long-running uncertainties of evolving US trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will both weigh heavy on global supply chains." -Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
In terms of air passenger demand, the new data for January 2026 shows total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 3.8% compared to January 2025.
Full analysis:
2026 Begins with 3.8% Air Passenger Demand Growth
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-03-02-02
Air Cargo Demand up 5.6% in January 2026
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-03-02-01
