IATA: Global air cargo demand rises 4.4pc in August despite capacity dip

In August 2026, global air cargo demand rose by 4.4 percent compared to the same month a year prior, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International operations saw a 5.3 percent increase in demand. However, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), saw a slight decrease of 0.1 percent compared to August 2025, while international capacity increased by 0.1 percent.

IATA senior vice president and chief economist, Marie Owens Thomsen, attributed the rise in demand to strong year-on-year growth and higher load factors, which helped airlines recover from high fuel costs. She also noted that yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, and global goods trade growth continued. Several factors in the operating environment contributed to the increase in demand, including a six percent year-on-year rise in global trade in July, and supportive indicators such as increased global manufacturing activity and new export orders.

Asia-Pacific airlines experienced the highest growth in air cargo demand in August, with a 4.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, while capacity grew by 1.2 percent. North American carriers led the growth among all regions, with a 6.6 percent increase in air cargo demand and a 2.5 percent decrease in capacity. European carriers saw a 4.1 percent increase in air cargo demand, but capacity declined by 3.5 percent.

Middle Eastern carriers had the weakest growth, with a 1 percent increase in air cargo demand and a 3.3 percent increase in capacity. IATA also pointed out that Gulf-linked corridors were still disrupted by the conflict in West Asia.