According to Air Cargo News, global air cargo demand increased by 3.9% year on year in July 2026, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), though growth eased from 8.5% in June, 6% in May, and 4% in April as markets recovered from disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Regional Contributions and Capacity Trends
Airlines in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America collectively accounted for more than 90% of the overall demand increase in July. North American carriers recorded the strongest regional performance, with demand rising 4.8% year on year, while capacity contracted by 1.5%. European carriers saw demand grow 4.4% and capacity expand 1.3%. Asia-Pacific airlines posted 4.1% demand growth alongside a 3% capacity increase.
Latin American and Caribbean carriers also registered 4.1% demand growth, but capacity rose more sharply at 7%. Middle Eastern carriers grew demand by just 1.7%, with capacity up 4%; African airlines posted the weakest result — 1.1% demand growth against a 4.1% capacity increase.
Global capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), rose 1.7% year on year in July, tightening the supply-demand balance and lifting the global cargo load factor (CLF) by 1 percent to 46%.
Economic and Operational Context
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) noted that the global operating environment remained broadly supportive: global trade expanded 7.5% year on year, and the Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 52.7, down only 0.3 points from the prior month. The New Export Orders Index rose to 50.0, its highest level in three months.
Jet fuel prices surged 12.2% month on month in July and were 56.9% higher than in July 2025. Meanwhile, dedicated freighters gained market share as belly-hold traffic declined — a shift possibly reflecting demand for larger or specialist shipments and the operational flexibility freighters provide.
“Air cargo demand grew 3.9% year-on-year in July. While all regions recorded growth, airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America accounted for more than 90% of the overall increase.” — Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist
IATA added that although the outlook remains broadly positive, higher fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, and tariff uncertainty warrant close monitoring. Average air cargo yields in July 2026 remained well above their July 2025 levels.
Source: Air Cargo News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
