- Total air cargo demand increased by 4.4pc compared to August 2025
- Capacity decreased by 0.1pc compared to August 2025
- North American carriers saw the strongest performance with a 6.6pc year-on-year increase
- Jet fuel prices rose by 8.3pc month-on-month in August and were 79.2pc higher than a year earlier
- Global trade increased by 6.0pc year-on-year in July, extending the run of consecutive monthly expansions to 33 months
The International Air Transport Association has released data for August 2026 global air cargo markets showing total demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometres increased by 4.4pc compared to August 2025. Capacity measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres decreased by 0.1pc compared to August 2025. Air cargo demand rose 4.4pc year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1pc. Strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines to recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs. Yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, while global goods trade growth continues.
Global trade increased by 6.0pc year-on-year in July, extending the run of consecutive monthly expansions to 33 months on a year-on-year basis. Jet fuel prices rose by 8.3pc month-on-month in August and were 79.2pc higher than a year earlier. Global manufacturing activity increased in August. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index increased 0.3 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index rose 1.4 points to 51.4. Both indicators remained supportive of air cargo demand.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 4.3pc year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in August with capacity increasing by 1.2pc year-on-year. North American carriers saw a 6.6pc year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in August, the strongest performance of all regions, with capacity decreasing by 2.5pc year-on-year. European carriers saw a 4.1pc year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August with capacity decreasing by 3.5pc year-on-year. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 1.0pc year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August, the weakest of all regions, with capacity increasing by 3.3pc year-on-year.
Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 5.1pc year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August with capacity increasing by 3.3pc year-on-year. African airlines saw a 3.0pc year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August with capacity increasing by 14.0pc year-on-year. Asia to North America recorded the strongest trade lane growth, followed by within Asia, Europe to North America and Europe to Asia. Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East.
Marie Owens Thomsen shared “Air cargo demand rose 4.4% year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1%. Strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines to recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs. Yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, while global goods trade growth continues. Both are positive signs as the year-end peak season comes into view.”
