KUALA LUMPUR: Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 4.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in August 2025, compared with August 2024 levels (+5.1 per cent for international operations), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), grew 3.7 per cent compared with August 2024 levels (+5.5% for international operations).
IATA director general Willie Walsh said air cargo demand in August 2025 marked the sixth consecutive month of y-o-y growth.
"Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefited from a shift from sea for some high-value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes.
"Growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fuelling 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 the United States (US) tariff policy," he said in a statement today.
On regional performance in August 2025, the global trade body said Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 9.8 per cent y-o-y growth in air cargo demand, while capacity increased by 6.9 per cent.
In contrast, North American carriers saw a 2.1 per cent y-o-y decline in demand, the weakest performance among all regions, with capacity also contracting by 1.0 per cent.
European carriers, meanwhile, posted a 3.2 per cent y-o-y increase in demand, with capacity rising by 4.2 per cent.
IATA noted that freight volumes on major trade lanes also showed significant gains in August 2025.
"Europe-Asia and within Asia recorded robust double-digit growth, while Middle East-Asia, North America-Europe and Africa-Asia also saw notable increases.
"In contrast, Asia-North America, Middle East-Europe and within Europe registered declines," it added.
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