October 9, 2025
According to data for August released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , global air cargo total demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, rose by 4.1% compared to August 2024 levels (+5.1% for international operations).
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, increased by 3.7% compared to August 2024 (+5.5% for international operations).
"Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimize the risk of tariff changes. And growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fueling stronger growth for the EuropeAsia, Within Asia, AfricaAsia, and Middle EastAsia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of US tariff policy," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.
Notably, North American carriers saw a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in August, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by 1.0% year-on-year.
Elsewhere, freight volumes increased significantly across most major trade corridors. EuropeAsia and Within Asia posted robust double-digit growth, while Middle EastAsia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable gains.