The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for October 2025 global air cargo markets, confirming the sector achieved a new monthly record for volumes. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 4.1% compared to October 2024 levels, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year expansion. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), also saw a solid rise of 5.1% over the same period.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, commented on the results: “Air cargo demand grew 4.1% year-on-year in October, marking the eighth consecutive month of expansion and setting a new monthly record for volumes. While the Asia-North America trade lane extended its contraction to six months, we saw double-digit or near double-digit growth within Asia, between the Middle East and Europe, and between Europe and Asia. This shifting growth pattern shows that air cargo is enabling global supply chains to adapt to the impact of US tariffs. This positive news is especially significant as the air cargo sector enters the peak fourth quarter shipping season.”
The positive growth was underpinned by several strong economic indicators:
Global Goods Trade: Expanded by 5.3% year-on-year in September.
Global Industrial Production: Rose 3.7% year-on-year in September, the fastest pace since March 2025 and the strongest monthly reading since late 2022.
Manufacturing Sentiment: Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened slightly in October, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising for the third consecutive month to reach 51.45.
Demand growth was uneven across the regions, with strong gains concentrated in Africa and Asia, and trade lanes involving Europe and the Middle East:
African Airlines recorded the strongest growth of all regions, with demand soaring by 16.6% year-on-year. Capacity increased by 20.0%.
Asia-Pacific Airlines saw robust growth in air cargo demand, up 8.3% year-on-year. Capacity increased by 7.3%.
European Carriers experienced a 4.3% year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity also rising by 4.3%. Trade between Europe and Asia posted the strongest performance globally, registering double-digit growth.
Middle Eastern Carriers reported a 5.7% year-on-year increase in demand, supported by a significant capacity increase of 10.0%.
North American and Latin American Carriers recorded the weakest performance globally, both seeing a decrease in demand of 2.7% year-on-year.
