Air cargo volumes set to rise of 2.6% this year, says IATA

With our a strong position in the global airfreight business, the U-Freight Group notes that IATA is predicting that global air cargo volumes will grow 2.4 percent this year.

IATA also said that growth should again be led by Asia Pacific and Europe, while North America remains under pressure.

Full-year demand for 2025, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased 3.4% compared to 2024. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.7% year on year, IATA reported.

The association added that the current geopolitical situation adds some uncertainty to the outlook, but while it expects trade to slow down, it believes the air cargo outlook is more resilient.

This resilience was demonstrated in 2025, when the industry aided economic growth by front-loading shipments to the US to pre-empt higher tariffs, redirected trade towards alternative markets and met the increase in demand for AI-related goods, while continuing to fulfil demand for e-commerce, explained IATA.

IATA added that looking ahead, air cargo will remain critical in a volatile trade environment and amid sustained AI and e-commerce demand.

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