The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the global air cargo market data for June 2025. According to the figures, total demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK) increased by 0.8% compared to the same period in 2024. For international operations, the rise was 1.6%. Meanwhile, available capacity (ACTK) grew by 1.7% during the same period.
Commenting on this limited growth, IATA Director General Willie Walsh highlighted regional disparities:
“In June, air cargo demand rose 0.8% year-on-year. But behind this modest figure lie very different regional stories. Trade tensions led to an 8.3% drop in demand in North America and stagnation in Europe with just 0.8% growth. In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region stood out with a 9.0% increase. Military tensions in the Middle East, however, caused a 3.2% drop in traffic there.”
Uncertainties in Trade Persist
Walsh also underlined the direct impact of trade uncertainties on the air cargo sector:
“While clarity regarding U.S. tariffs is a positive development for planning, rising cost pressures on imported goods may result in economic consequences that are not yet fully felt. That’s why efforts to make trade easier and more efficient through digitalisation must be intensified.”
Regional Performance Summary – June 2025
| Region | Demand (CTK) | Capacity (ACTK) | Load Factor (CLF) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia-Pacific | +9.0% | +7.8% | +0.6 pts | 34.2% |
| North America | -8.3% | -5.1% | -1.3 pts | 25.8% |
| Europe | +0.8% | +2.6% | -0.9 pts | 21.5% |
| Middle East | -3.2% | +1.5% | -2.2 pts | 13.6% |
| Latin America | +3.5% | -0.4% | +1.4 pts | 2.9% |
| Africa | +3.9% | +6.2% | -0.9 pts | 2.0% |
| Total | +0.8% | +1.7% | -0.4 pts | 100% |
Diverging Trends Across Trade Lanes
In June 2025, while some major trade routes recorded growth, others continued to contract:
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Europe–Asia: Up 10.6%, marking 28 consecutive months of growth
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Middle East–Asia: Up 2.8%, in a 4-month growth trend
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Asia–North America: Down 4.8%, falling for 7 months in a row
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Middle East–Europe: Down 4.5%, declining for 6 consecutive months
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Africa–Asia: Down 4.8%, second consecutive month of decline
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Intra-Asia: Up 8.7%, expanding for 20 straight months
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North America–Europe: Up 4.8%, continuous growth for 17 months
Global Indicators
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Industrial production (May 2025): Up 3.2% year-on-year
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Global goods trade: Up 3.5%
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Jet fuel prices: Down 12% year-on-year; up 8.6% compared to May
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Global PMI (June 2025): At 51.2, indicating expansion
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New export orders PMI: At 49.3, still in contraction territory
