Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
New data for July 2026 global air cargo markets shows:
-Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 3.9% compared to July 2025 (4.7% for international operations).
-Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 1.7% compared to July 2025 (1.8% for international operations).
“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.
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
-Global trade increased by 7.5% year-on-year.
-Jet fuel prices rose by 12.2% month-on-month in July and were 56.9% higher than a year earlier.
-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. Together, these indicators are broadly supportive of air cargo demand.
Learn more about July demand data: iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/08-31-air-cargo-demand-grows-july
New data for July 2026 global air cargo markets shows:
-Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 3.9% compared to July 2025 (4.7% for international operations).
-Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 1.7% compared to July 2025 (1.8% for international operations).
“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.
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
-Global trade increased by 7.5% year-on-year.
-Jet fuel prices rose by 12.2% month-on-month in July and were 56.9% higher than a year earlier.
-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. Together, these indicators are broadly supportive of air cargo demand.
Learn more about July demand data: iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/08-31-air-cargo-demand-grows-july
