Global air cargo demand rises 4% in April despite West Asia disruptions: IATA

Bengaluru: Global air cargo demand rose 4 per year-on-year in April 2026, despite severe disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The aviation industry body said total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased 4 per cent compared to April 2025 levels, while international operations also recorded similar growth. However, cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), declined 0.4 per cent year-on-year globally, and 0.9 per cent for international operations.

According to IATA Director General, Willie Walsh, robust Asia-linked trade flows helped sustain cargo growth, even as geopolitical tensions disrupted major Gulf hubs and reshaped international trade routes.

“Air cargo demand grew 4 per cent year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment,” Walsh said.

"Dedicated freighter aircraft carried much of the growth, as the sector worked to keep global supply chains moving amid disruptions and elevated operating costs," he added.

Among regions, Asia-Pacific airlines posted the strongest performance with a 10.5 per cent increase in cargo demand and a 5.3 per cent rise in capacity. European carriers recorded a 6 per cent increase in demand, while North American airlines saw a 5 per cent growth. African airlines also registered a 7.7 per cent increase in demand, despite a 9.4 per cent drop in capacity.

In contrast, Middle-Eastern carriers witnessed the weakest performance, with cargo demand plunging 18.2 per cent year-on-year and capacity falling 22.9 per cent, amid the continuing regional conflict. Latin American and Caribbean airlines reported a 2.8 per cent decline in demand.

Trade lane performance remained uneven across global markets. Europe-Asia routes recorded a robust 16.2 per cent growth, while intra-Asia cargo traffic rose 13 per cent, marking 30 consecutive months of growth. Africa-Asia routes also continued their upward trajectory with a 12.8 per cent increase.

However, trade lanes linked to the Gulf region faced sharp contractions. Europe-Middle East cargo traffic fell 25.9 per cent, while Middle East-Asia traffic declined 22.4 per cent year-on-year. In simple terms, a trade lane is a regularly-used commercial route between two regions or markets through which goods move.

IATA also highlighted rising operational costs as a concern, noting that jet fuel prices surged 121.1 per cent year-on-year in April, alongside a 77.7 per cent rise in crude oil prices. Global trade contracted 2.1 per cent month-on-month in March after four consecutive months of growth, reflecting continued geopolitical uncertainty.