The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released global air cargo market data for 2025. According to the data, air cargo demand reached record levels in 2025, with the sector continuing to grow driven by global trade and e-commerce.
Increase in demand and capacity
According to IATA data, global air cargo demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK) increased by 3.4% in 2025 compared to 2024. In international operations, this increase was recorded at 4.2%. During the same period, capacity measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) rose by 3.7%.
Strong performance also continued in December 2025. Global demand increased by 4.3% year-on-year, while capacity grew by 4.5%.
Limited decline in revenues
IATA announced that air cargo revenues declined by 1.5% year-on-year in 2025. This decrease was attributed to the normalisation of the supply-demand balance and the easing of the exceptionally high revenue levels seen during the pandemic period. Despite this, sector revenues remained 37.2% above 2019 levels.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh: Air cargo adapted rapidly
IATA Director General Willie Walsh stated that the air cargo sector delivered a strong performance in 2025 despite global uncertainties, saying:
“Despite the strength of global e-commerce and uncertainties in trade policies, the air cargo sector adapted rapidly. While there was a slowdown on the US–Asia route, growth in Asia–Europe and intra-Asia trade compensated for this loss.”
Walsh also added that growth in 2026 is expected to slow to 2.4%, in line with historical averages.
Asia-Pacific stood out in regional performance
In 2025, the strongest regional growth was recorded by Asia-Pacific airlines, with an 8.4% increase in air cargo demand. African airlines drew attention with growth of 6.0%. North America was the only region to contract, with a decline of 1.3%.
Shift in trade routes
IATA data revealed a marked shift in global air cargo flows from the Asia–North America route to the Asia–Europe route. The Europe–Asia trade lane became the fastest-growing route in 2025, expanding by 10.3%.
