Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Negar Rezvany, Economist Industry Analysis Specialist, IATA, explains new data for April 2026 global air cargo markets.
Highlights include:
-Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 4.0% compared to April 2025 levels (+4.0% for international operations).
-Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), decreased by -0.4% compared to April 2025 (-0.9% for international operations).
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General has this to say:
“Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment. Severe disruption at major Gulf hubs due to the war in the Middle East continued to reshape trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors. With dedicated freighters carrying much of the growth, air cargo is once again keeping supply chains moving amid trade disruptions. The coming months will test how well the sector can absorb continued geopolitical uncertainty and elevated operating costs."
Learn more: iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/05-28-air-cargo-demand-up-april-middle-east-disruption
Negar Rezvany, Economist Industry Analysis Specialist, IATA, explains new data for April 2026 global air cargo markets.
Highlights include:
-Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 4.0% compared to April 2025 levels (+4.0% for international operations).
-Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), decreased by -0.4% compared to April 2025 (-0.9% for international operations).
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General has this to say:
“Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment. Severe disruption at major Gulf hubs due to the war in the Middle East continued to reshape trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors. With dedicated freighters carrying much of the growth, air cargo is once again keeping supply chains moving amid trade disruptions. The coming months will test how well the sector can absorb continued geopolitical uncertainty and elevated operating costs."
Learn more: iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/05-28-air-cargo-demand-up-april-middle-east-disruption
