The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its air cargo data report for January 2026.
The monthly report shows that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), was up 5.6 percent compared to January 2025 levels.
Meanwhile, capacity in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK) rose by 3.6 percent compared to January 2025.
According to IATA director-general Wille Walsh, the demand for air cargo had a robust start to 2026.
However, he also pointed out how the story is more polarised at the regional level.
Walsh said: “Carriers in Africa, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe all reported faster growth than the global average. In contrast, carriers in the Americas reported aggregate contractions. The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. In addition to the long-running uncertainties of evolving US trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will both weigh heavily on global supply chains.”
The director-general added that these topics will be addressed during the World Cargo Symposium which will be held in Lima, Peru from 10th to 12th March.
This year’s symposium will centre on the air cargo sector’s adaptability and efficiency through digitalisation and other measures.
Factors to consider from January 2026
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
- The global goods trade grew by 4.9 percent year-on-year in December 2025.
- Jet fuel prices decreased by 6.5 percent year-on-year in January.
- Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened in January, with the global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising above the 50-point expansion threshold to 51.8, its highest level in over a year and a half. The PMI for new export orders climbed to 49.9, slightly below the growth threshold but the highest in 10 months, reflecting mixed but cautiously optimistic industrial growth.
Monthly performance per region
- Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 7.8% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in January, maintaining the region’s role as the primary engine of the industry expansion. Capacity increased by 3.3% year-on-year.
- North American carriers saw a 0.5% year-on-year decline for air cargo in January. North America was the only region showing a capacity decrease, slightly declining by 0.2% year-on-year.
- European airlines saw a 6.9% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in January. Capacity increased 4.9% year-on-year.
- Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in January. Capacity increased by 9.9% year-on-year, the strongest rise of all regions.
- Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 2.0% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in January, the weakest performance of all regions. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 2.3% year-on-year.
- African airlines saw a 18.2% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in January, the strongest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 6.5% year-on-year.
