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THERE IT IS published the official and final statistics for the air cargo from 2025, year in which a world volume record was presented.
What's more, the THERE IT IS noted that annual performance decreased by 1,5 % interannual. This is the smallest drop in three years, since a more normal balance has been achieved between the supply, exceptionally strong COVID and post-COVID demand and returns continue to decline. Despite competitive pressure limiting air cargo pricing power, yields remain 37,2 % above the levels of 2019.
Good 2025 for air cargo
The International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS) published data on the performance of the global air cargo market for the year 2025 and December 2025, which show the following:
- Demand for the year 2025, measured in freight ton-kilometres (CTK), increased a 3,4 % in comparison with 2024 (4,2 % for international operations).
- Capacity for the year 2025, measured in tons-kilometres of available cargo (ACTK), increased a 3,7 % in comparison with 2024 (5,1 % for international operations).
- December of 2025 closed the year with continued strong performance. Global demand exceeded December levels 2024 in a 4,3 % (5,5 % for international operations). Global capacity exceeded December levels 2024 in a 4,5 % (6,4 % for international operations).
“Air cargo had a solid performance in 2025, with a year-on-year increase in 3,4 % on the demand. Global e-commerce strength boosted volumes, even when trade relations with the US. UU. faced increased tariffs, the elimination of de minimis tariff exemptions and continued political uncertainty. Air cargo rose to the occasion. Quickly adapted to support global businesses and supply chains, anticipating product deliveries before the imposition of tariffs and adjusting to growing demand within Asia and between Asia and Europe, while trade between the US. UU. and Asia was stagnating”, declared Willie Walsh, General Director of the THERE IT IS.
The growth in 2026 moderates slightly to 2,4%, in line with historical trends. It is expected that demand will continue to be conditioned by commercial and geopolitical developments. Regardless of emerging trading patterns, We can be confident that reliance on air cargo to keep global supply chains running will continue., and airlines will respond to the challenge by deploying capacity and designing their networks for optimal flexibility, Walsh stated..
It is important to take into account several factors of the operating environment:
- World trade in goods grew 2,5% annual in 2024. So far this year (from January to November 2025), the index grew by 4,4% (in front of 2,4% of the same period of 2024).
- Jet fuel prices fell by 3,1% in December and averaged a 9,1% less in 2025 what in 2024. Nevertheless, Rising cracking differentials meant refiners earned a higher margin, which offset part of the benefit for the airlines. Global manufacturing confidence strengthened in December, reaching 50,9. New export orders decreased slightly to 49,1, but they remained below the expansion threshold of 50 points, which reflects caution in the face of tariff uncertainty.
regional performance
- Asia-Pacific airlines reported year-on-year growth in air cargo demand 8,4 % on 2025, the largest in the region. Capacity increased by 7,4 % interannual. In December, year-on-year demand increased by 9,4 % and the capacity 8,3 %.
- North American airlines experienced a year-on-year decrease in 1,3 % in the growth of air cargo demand in 2025, the only regional decline and the worst performance globally. Capacity decreased by 1,1 % interannual. In December, year-on-year demand decreased by 2,2 % and the capacity 2,6 %.
- European airlines recorded year-on-year growth in air cargo demand 2,9 % on 2025. Capacity increased by 3,1 % interannual. In December, year-on-year demand increased by 4,9 % and the capacity 3,9 %.
- Middle East airlines reported year-on-year growth in air cargo demand 0,3 % on 2025. Capacity increased by 4,5 % interannual. Year-on-year demand in December increased by 4,2 % and the capacity 10,6 %.
- Latin American and Caribbean airlines recorded year-on-year growth in air cargo demand 2,3 % on 2025. Capacity increased by 4,5 % interannual. Year-on-year demand in December decreased by 4,1 %, lowest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 4,5 %.
- African airlines recorded year-on-year growth in air cargo demand 6,0 % on 2025. Capacity increased by 7,8 % interannual. Year-on-year demand in December increased by 10,1 %, the largest of all regions, and capacity increased by 9,8 %.
Let's see what happens 2026 with so many geopolitical factors at play…
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