• Global air cargo demand rose 5.5 percent year-on-year in November 2025, according to the latest IATA figures, marking a resilient end to a year shaped by shifting trade flows, geopolitical headwinds and selective regional strength.
• Emerging market demand and strategic rerouting—particularly through the Middle East—offset softness in the Americas, as operators adjusted to evolving tariff regimes and capacity constraints.

“Strong emerging market demand and selective Middle Eastern growth more than made up for softness in the Americas amid ongoing adjustment to the new US tariff regime,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Globally, the fourth quarter for air cargo was resilient as strategic re-routing of trade shaped performance across key markets.”

Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), rose 5.5 percent in November compared to the same month in 2024. International cargo markets saw an even stronger rise of 6.9 percent. Capacity also grew, with available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs) up 4.7 percent overall, and 6.5 percent on international routes.

The numbers confirm continued momentum in a market that has recalibrated over the past year. Structural changes in trade corridors—particularly those linking Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa—have helped buffer global volumes from the volatility seen in North America.

“Airlines continued to satisfy growing passenger demand amid continuing capacity constraints stemming from challenges in the aerospace supply chain,” said Walsh.

“The new year’s resolution for the manufacturing sector must be to increase production to meet the needs of its airline customers. The backlog of more than 17,000 aircraft orders that we reached in 2025 must be reduced in 2026.”

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