Global air cargo up 9.1% in September compared to pre-COVID levels

November 5, 2021

The International Air Transport Association's (IATA) September 2021 data for global air cargo markets shows demand continued to be well above pre-crisis levels and that capacity constraints persist.

(As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons below are to September 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern.)

Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, was up 9.1% compared to September 2019 (9.4% for international operations). Capacity remains constrained at 8.9% below pre-COVID-19 levels (September 2019) (-12% for international operations).

North American carriers posted a 19.3% increase in international cargo volumes in September 2021 compared to September 2019. New export orders and demand for faster shipping times are underpinning the North American performance.

European carriers saw a 5.3% increase in international cargo volumes in September 2021 compared to the same month in 2019.

Source: IATA