Air Cargo Demand Up 4.0% in April Amid Middle East Disruption: IATA Data

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2026 global air cargo markets

Global Overview
- Demand (CTK): +4.0% year-on-year (international +4.0%).
- Capacity (ACTK): -0.4% year-on-year (international -0.9%).
- Load Factor (CLF): Up 1.9 percentage points to 46.0%.
- Growth was driven by Asia-linked trade flows, but capacity constraints remain due to Middle East disruptions.

Asia-Pacific (35.8% share)
- Demand surged +10.5%, the strongest globally.
- Capacity grew +5.3%, keeping pace with demand.
- Load factor rose +2.2 pts to 47.0%.
- Asia remains the main engine of global cargo growth.

North America (24.6% share)
- Demand increased +5.0%.
- Capacity expanded modestly at +1.2%.
- Load factor improved +1.5 pts to 40.9%.
- Growth supported by e-commerce and trade flows.

Europe (21.4% share)
- Demand rose +6.0%.
- Capacity up +3.0%.
- Load factor climbed +1.5 pts to 53.4%, the highest globally.
- Europe shows balanced growth despite geopolitical uncertainty.

Middle East (13.2% share)
- Demand plunged -18.2%, worst regional performance.
- Capacity contracted -22.9%.
- Load factor rose +2.7 pts to 46.0%, but only due to sharp capacity cuts.
- Severe disruption from Gulf hub conflict reshaped trade routes.

Latin America & Caribbean (2.9% share)
- Demand fell -2.8%.
- Capacity grew slightly +1.2%.
- Load factor dropped -1.6 pts to 37.4%, the lowest globally.
- Region remains under pressure with weak cargo flows.

Africa (2.1% share)
- Demand grew +7.7%.
- Capacity shrank -9.4%.
- Load factor jumped +7.8 pts to 49.1%, the biggest improvement worldwide.
- Africa–Asia trade lanes continue to drive resilience.

Trade Lane Highlights
- Africa–Asia: +12.8% (10 months of consecutive growth).
- Europe–Asia: +16.2% (38 months of consecutive growth).
- Asia–North America: +8.3% (6 months of growth).
- Within Asia: +13.0% (30 months of growth).
- Within Europe: +14.0% (3 months of growth).
- Middle East–Asia: -22.4% (2 months of contraction).
- Europe–Middle East: -25.9% (2 months of contraction).
- Europe–North America: -1.0% (2 months of contraction).

Operating Environment
- Global Trade: Contracted -2.1% in March after 4 months of growth.
- Fuel Costs: Jet fuel +121.1% YoY; crude oil +77.7% YoY.
- Manufacturing PMI: Rose to 53.4 (expansion), export orders PMI at 50.2.
- Resilience: Dedicated freighters absorbed much of the growth, keeping supply chains moving despite Gulf hub disruptions.

Industry Commentary
Willie Walsh, IATA Director General:
> “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… The coming months will test how well the sector can absorb continued geopolitical uncertainty and elevated operating costs.”

This paints a picture of robust demand but fragile capacity, with Asia-Pacific leading growth and the Middle East dragging global averages down.