Air cargo demand continues to ascend in August
The demand for air cargo increased by 4.1% in August, data released this week by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) has revealed. This marks the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
The Iata report for August 2025 global air cargo markets shows:
- Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 4.1% compared to August 2024 levels (+5.1% for international operations).
- Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.7% compared to August 2024 (+5.5% for international operations).
“Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change," noted Willie Walsh, Iata’s director general. "Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes.
"And growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fueling stronger growth for the Europe–Asia, Within Asia, Africa–Asia, and Middle East–Asia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of US tariff policy.”
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
- The global goods trade grew by 5.4% year-on-year in July.
- Jet fuel prices in August were 6.4% lower year-on-year, marking the 14th consecutive month of year-on-year declines.
- Global manufacturing in August showed rising optimism in manufacturing PMI, with a rebound to 51.75, the strongest reading since June 2024. Sentiment on new export orders, however, remains below 50 at 48.73, reflecting persistent caution amid tariff uncertainty.
Image source: onlyyouqj from Freepik
August regional performance
- Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 9.8% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in August. Capacity increased by 6.9% year-on-year.
- 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.
- European carriers saw a 3.2% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased 4.2% year-on-year.
- Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased by 4.3% year-on-year.
- Latin American carriers saw a 2.1% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased by 5.0% year-on-year.
- African airlines saw a 11.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 12.3% year-on-year.
Trade lane growth
Air freight volumes in August 2025 increased significantly across most major trade corridors. Europe–Asia and Within Asia posted robust double-digit growth, while Middle East–Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable gains. In contrast, Asia–North America, Middle East–Europe and Within Europe recorded declines.
| Trade Lane | YOY Growth | Notes | Market Share of Industry |
| Asia-North America | -2.2% | 4 consecutive months of decline | 24.4% |
| Europe-Asia | +13.0% | 30 consecutive months of growth | 20.5% |
| Middle East-Europe | -0.8% | 1 month of decline | 5.7% |
| Middle East-Asia | +7.8% | 6 consecutive months of growth | 7.4% |
| Within Asia | +12.4% | 22 consecutive months of growth | 7.0% |
| Within Europe | -0.9% | 1 month of decline | 2.0% |
| North America- Europe | +7.8% | 19 consecutive months of growth | 13.3% |
| Africa-Asia | +8.4% | 2 consecutive months of growth | 1.4% |
*Share is based on full-year 2024 CTKs.