African airlines posted the highest air cargo demand growth globally in August 2025, with volumes rising 11 per cent year-on-year.

Capacity also grew significantly, up 12.3 per cent in the same period, according to the International Air Transport Association’s August 2025 Global Air Cargo Market Data.

Global air cargo demand rose 4.1 per cent in August 2025 compared to a year earlier, marking the sixth straight month of year-on-year growth, according to IATA.

International traffic increased 5.1 per cent, while overall capacity expanded 3.7 per cent and international capacity grew 5.5 per cent.

“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2025 global air cargo markets showing:

“Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose by 4.1 per cent compared to August 2024 levels (+5.1 per cent for international operations).

“Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 3.7 per cent compared to August 2024 (+5.5 per cent for international operations),” the IATA report read.

It added, “African airlines saw a 11.0 per cent year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 12.3 per cent year-on-year.”

IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the rise in air cargo volumes highlights a shift from sea to air transport for high-value goods, as shippers look to reduce tariff risks. He noted particularly strong growth on Europe–Asia, Within Asia, Africa–Asia, and Middle East–Asia trade lanes, while demand weakened on North America-linked routes.

Regionally, Asia-Pacific carriers posted a 9.8 per cent year-on-year increase in demand with capacity up 6.9 per cent in August. European airlines saw demand climb 3.2 per cent and capacity 4.2 per cent, while Middle Eastern carriers recorded 2.7 per cent growth in demand and a 4.3 per cent rise in capacity.

Latin American carriers recorded a 2.1 per cent rise in air cargo demand in August, with capacity up 5.0 per cent .

In contrast, North American airlines posted the weakest performance globally, as demand fell 2.1 per cent and capacity declined 1.0%. African airlines led all regions, with demand surging 11.0 per cent and capacity growing 12.3 per cent.

IATA noted that broader factors also supported air cargo growth, including a 4 per cent year-on-year rise in global goods trade in July, a 6.4 per cent drop in jet fuel prices in August—the 14th consecutive month of declines—and a rebound in the global manufacturing PMI to 51.75, its strongest since June 2024. Still, export order sentiment remained subdued, with the PMI reading at 48.73, reflecting continued tariff uncertainties.