The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data on global air cargo markets for January 2026, showing that air freight demand began the year on a strong footing, with total demand rising by 5.6 per cent year-on-year.

According to the data, total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 5.6 per cent compared with January 2025, while international operations recorded stronger growth of 7.2 per cent.

At the same time, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), rose by 3.6 per cent year-on-year, while international cargo capacity increased by 5.7 per cent compared with January 2025.

Commenting on the figures, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said that the air cargo sector made a solid start to the year, although regional performance varied significantly.

“The demand for air cargo had a robust start to 2026, recording 5.6 per cent year-on-year growth in January,” Walsh said, adding that regional performance was more polarised.

As he explained, carriers in Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe all reported faster growth than the global average, whereas carriers in the Americas recorded overall contractions.

Looking ahead, Walsh warned that the resilience of the air cargo sector could face renewed pressure in the months ahead, pointing to geopolitical and policy-related uncertainties.

“The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months,” he said, noting that ongoing uncertainty surrounding evolving United States trade policies remains a key factor.

At the same time, he added that the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East could also weigh heavily on global supply chains.

Walsh said these issues will feature prominently at the upcoming World Cargo Symposium, scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru, between March 10 and 12, 2026.

“Addressing these topics will add extra importance to discussions at the upcoming World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru,” he said, adding that strengthening air cargo’s adaptability and efficiency, particularly through digitalisation and other operational improvements, will be a key focus.

IATA also pointed to several developments in the broader economic environment that are influencing air cargo demand.

According to the association, global goods trade increased by 4.9 per cent year-on-year in December 2025, indicating continued strength in international trade flows.

At the same time, jet fuel prices declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year in January, easing one of the key cost pressures faced by airlines.

Meanwhile, global manufacturing sentiment also strengthened at the start of the year.

Specifically, the global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.8 in January, moving above the 50-point threshold that signals expansion and reaching its highest level in more than a year and a half.

In addition, the PMI for new export orders rose to 49.9, slightly below the growth threshold but the highest level in ten months, reflecting mixed yet cautiously optimistic industrial growth trends.

Looking at regional trends, Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 7.8 per cent year-on-year increase in cargo demand in January, maintaining the region’s position as the primary engine of global industry expansion. At the same time, capacity in the region increased by 3.3 per cent year-on-year.

By contrast, North American carriers recorded a 0.5 per cent decline in cargo demand, while capacity decreased slightly by 0.2 per cent, making North America the only region where capacity contracted during the month.

Meanwhile, European airlines saw cargo demand increase by 6.9 per cent year-on-year, accompanied by a 4.9 per cent rise in capacity.

Similarly, Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 9.3 per cent increase in cargo demand, while capacity expanded by 9.9 per cent, representing the strongest capacity growth among all regions.

Elsewhere, Latin American and Caribbean carriers posted a 2 per cent decline in cargo demand, marking the weakest regional performance in January, although capacity still increased by 2.3 per cent year-on-year.

In contrast, African airlines recorded the strongest growth globally, with cargo demand rising by 18.2 per cent year-on-year, while capacity increased by 6.5 per cent.

Air freight volumes also increased across most major global trade corridors in January 2026, with the notable exception of the Asia–North America route, which recorded a slight contraction.

Among the strongest-performing corridors, air cargo volumes between Africa and Asia surged by 41.6 per cent year-on-year, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth.

Similarly, the Europe–Asia trade lane recorded a 15.2 per cent increase in volumes, extending a growth streak to 35 consecutive months.

Meanwhile, the Middle East–Asia corridor saw volumes rise by 12.9 per cent, representing the eleventh consecutive month of expansion.

Elsewhere, air freight within Asia increased by 14.3 per cent, marking 27 consecutive months of growth, while traffic between Europe and the Middle East rose by 10.2 per cent year-on-year.

In addition, the Europe–North America corridor recorded a 3.8 per cent increase, extending its growth trend to 24 consecutive months.

By contrast, the Asia–North America route recorded a slight decline of 0.6 per cent, representing the only major trade lane to contract during the month.