Global air cargo demand grew by 4.3 per cent year-on-year in December 2025, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association.

The growth occurred even as freight flows stayed concentrated along specific key regions and trade lanes, rather than signaling a widespread global trade recovery.

The IATA report, recently released, stated that air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, expanded by 4.3 per cent year-on-year.

This expansion highlighted resilient but targeted global freight movements instead of a broad-based trade upswing.

International CTK increased by 5.5 per cent year-on-year, supported mainly by robust performances in Asia Pacific and Africa.

Asia Pacific recorded a 10.7 per cent year-on-year surge in December, while Africa achieved 10.1 per cent growth.

These two markets were the only ones to post double-digit expansion during the period.

In contrast, the Americas experienced a contraction over the same timeframe.

On the supply side, global cargo capacity, measured in Available Cargo Tonne-Kilometres, rose by 4.5 per cent year-on-year.

The Cargo Load Factor remained steady at 47.1 per cent.

This capacity growth stemmed from careful fleet deployments, with absorption varying across regions and trade lanes.

In the energy market, jet fuel prices dropped for the first time in four months, falling 3.1 per cent year-on-year.

This marked the ninth month in 2025 with a year-on-year decline.

The Brent–jet fuel crack narrowed significantly to $23.90.

Cargo yields declined for the eighth straight month, easing by 2.6 per cent year-on-year.

However, month-on-month rates showed relative stability, with only a marginal contraction of 0.4 per cent.

This suggested price steadiness despite weaker annual figures.