IATA - International Air Transport Association

09/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2025 03:54

Air Cargo Resilience Continues: August Demand Up 4.1%

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2025 global air cargo markets showing:

  • Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 4.1% compared to August 2024 levels (+5.1% for international operations).
  • Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.7% compared to August 2024 (+5.5% for international operations).

"Air cargo demand grew 4.1% in August, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimize the risk of tariff changes. And growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fueling stronger growth for the Europe-Asia, Within Asia, Africa-Asia, and Middle East-Asia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of US tariff policy," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

  • The global goods trade grew by 4% year-on-year in July.
  • Jet fuel prices in August were 6.4% lower year-on-year, marking the fourteenth consecutive month of year-on-year declines.
  • Global manufacturing in August showed rising optimism in manufacturing PMI, with a rebound to 51.75, the strongest reading since June 2024. Sentiment on new export orders, however, remains below 50 at 48.73, reflecting persistent caution amid tariff uncertainty.

Air Cargo Market in Detail

AUGUST 2025 (%year-on-year) World Share *1 CTK ACTK CLF (%-pt) *2 CLF (level) *3
Total Market 100% 4.1% 3.7% 0.2% 44.2%
Africa 2.0% 11.0% 12.3% -0.5% 39.6%
Asia Pacific 34.3% 9.8% 6.9% 1.3% 47.5%
Europe 21.4% 3.2% 4.2% -0.5% 49.2%
Latin America and the Caribbean 2.9% 2.1% 5.0% -1.0% 35.1%
Middle East 13.6% 2.7% 4.3% -0.7% 44.1%
North America 25.8% -2.1% -1.0% -0.4% 38.4%

(*1) % of industry CTKs in 2024 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level

August Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 9.8% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in August. Capacity increased by 6.9% year-on-year.

North American carriers saw a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in August, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by 1.0% year-on-year.

European carriers saw a 3.2% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased 4.2% year-on-year.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased by 4.3% year-on-year.

Latin American carriers saw a 2.1% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased by 5.0% year-on-year.

African airlines saw a 11.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 12.3% year-on-year.

Trade Lane Growth

Air freight volumes in August 2025 increased significantly across most major trade corridors. Europe-Asia and Within Asia posted robust double-digit growth, while Middle East-Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable gains. In contrast, Asia-North America, Middle East-Europe, and Within Europe recorded declines.

Trade Lane YoY growth Notes Market share of industry*
Asia-North America -2.2% 4 consecutive months of decline 24.4%
Europe-Asia +13.0% 30 consecutive months of growth 20.5%
Middle East-Europe -0.8% 1 month of decline 5.7%
Middle East-Asia +7.8% 6 consecutive months of growth 7.4%
Within Asia +12.4% 22 consecutive months of growth 7.0%
Within Europe -0.9% 1 month of decline 2.0%
North America-Europe +7.8% 19 consecutive months of growth 13.3%
Africa-Asia +8.4% 2 consecutive months of growth 1.4%

*Share is based on full-year 2024 CTKs.

> View August 2025 Air Cargo Market Analysis (pdf)

For more information, please contact:Corporate CommunicationsTel: +41 22 770 2967Email: [email protected]

Notes for Editors:

  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic.
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  • Explanation of measurement terms:
    • CTK: cargo tonne-kilometres measures actual cargo traffic
    • ACTK: available cargo tonne-kilometres measures available total cargo capacity
    • CLF: cargo load factor is % of ACTKs used
  • IATA statistics cover international and domestic scheduled air cargo for IATA member and non-member airlines.
  • Total cargo traffic market share by region of carriers in terms of CTK is: Asia-Pacific 34.3%, Europe 21.4%, North America 25.8%, Middle East 13.6%, Latin America and the Caribbean 2.9%, and Africa 2.0%.
IATA - International Air Transport Association published this content on September 30, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 30, 2025 at 09:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]