Global air cargo demand experienced a 4.0% year-on-year increase in April 2026, with international operations showing the same growth, as reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This uptick, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), highlights the sector's resilience in keeping supply chains active amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.
However, the positive figures mask a complex operational landscape. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), saw a slight global decrease of 0.4%, with international operations facing a 0.9% reduction compared to April 2025. Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, noted that while strong Asia-linked trade flows fueled demand, severe disruptions at major Gulf hubs, linked to conflict in the Middle East, continue to reshape trade routes and constrain capacity in critical corridors.
Regional Performance Diverges
The impact of these disruptions was not uniform across regions. Asia-Pacific airlines recorded the strongest performance, with a substantial 10.5% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand for April. Their capacity also expanded by 5.3% over the same period, underscoring the region's robust trade activity.
Conversely, Middle Eastern carriers were the most affected, experiencing an 18.2% year-on-year decrease in air cargo demand. Capacity for these airlines also saw a significant drop of 22.9%, reflecting the direct impact of the regional conflict on their operations.
Broader Economic Context and Costs
The air cargo sector's growth in April comes against a backdrop of wider economic shifts. Global trade contracted by 2.1% month-on-month in March, following four consecutive months of expansion, signaling continued vulnerability to geopolitical shocks. Additionally, operating costs for airlines remain elevated. Jet fuel prices surged by 121.1% year-on-year in April, while crude oil prices increased by 77.7%.
As dedicated freighters shoulder much of the growth, the coming months will test the air cargo sector's ability to absorb persistent geopolitical uncertainty and rising operational expenses, according to IATA's assessment.