The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its January 2025 data, highlighting a modest 3.2% increase in global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), versus same month last in 2024.
IATA said the growth demonstrates the sector’s resilience despite ongoing economic challenges, marking the 18th consecutive month of growth for the air cargo industry.
Data showed that Latin American airlines led regional growth with an 11.2 percent year-on-year increase in air cargo demand, while capacity rose by 10.6 percent.
Asia Pacific airlines followed with a 7.5 percent year-on-year increase in air cargo demand for January, with capacity growing by 10.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
North American carriers reported a 5.3 percent year-on-year rise in demand for air cargo, while capacity expanded by 7.5 percent.
European Airlines also saw a more modest 1.3 percent increase in demand for air cargo in January, with capacity growing by 3.5 percent.
Middle Eastern carriers faced an 8.4 percent year-on-year decline in air cargo demand, the slowest growth among all regions. Capacity decreased by 1.2 percent compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, African airlines experienced a 3.4% decline in demand, although capacity grew by 5.4% compared to January 2024.
On a global scale, total air cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 6.8% year-over-year in January 2025.
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, commented that the airlines’ performance in the first month of 2025 o has proven its resilience, navigating through economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainties. “While factors like trade growth, declining fuel costs, and expanding e-commerce continue to drive demand, it’s crucial to monitor evolving market conditions,” said Walsh.
“A key uncertainty is the potential impact of tariff-driven trade policies, particularly under the US administration. However, the air cargo industry is well-equipped to adapt to shifts in the operational landscape.”
As the industry looks ahead, he said that key factors such as global economic trends, trade policies, and capacity management will be closely monitored by stakeholders to ensure continued growth and stability in the air cargo sector.
