Global air cargo demand rose 4.0% year on year in April 2026 while capacity fell 0.4%, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported from Geneva on May 28, 2026. Demand is measured in cargo tonne-kilometers and capacity in available cargo tonne-kilometers. With more freight competing for slightly less space, the global cargo load factor rose 1.9 percentage points to 46.0%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the growth was driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows, then added a caution: “But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment.” Severe disruption at major Gulf hubs caused by the war in the Middle East continued to reshape trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors, he said, with dedicated freighters carrying much of the growth.
The regional figures show the split. Demand at Middle Eastern carriers fell 18.2% and their capacity 22.9%. Asia-Pacific airlines grew 10.5%, the strongest of any region, and North American carriers grew 5.0% on 1.2% more capacity. By trade lane, Asia–North America grew 8.3% while Europe–North America slipped 1.0%; Europe–Middle East and Middle East–Asia were down 25.9% and 22.4%.
Costs moved more sharply than volumes. Jet fuel prices were up 121.1% year on year in April, alongside a 77.7% rise in crude oil. IATA also noted that global trade contracted 2.1% month on month in March after four consecutive months of growth, while the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 53.4 and its new export orders measure reached 50.2, both above the 50-point line that marks expansion.
What it means for shippers
- Space is tighter than the headline suggests. Demand grew and capacity did not, so flights are fuller. Book air freight earlier than usual and ask your forwarder what happens if a shipment is split or moved to a later flight.
- Expect fuel on the invoice. With jet fuel at more than double last year’s price, check how surcharges are applied and how long quotes remain valid.
- Transpacific freight keeps coming. Asia–North America is the lane that feeds West Coast gateways such as LAX, and it grew 8.3%. Busy inbound flights mean busy cargo terminals, so arrange pickup as soon as freight is released.
- Watch the next releases. Walsh said the coming months will test how well the sector can absorb continued geopolitical uncertainty and elevated operating costs. Budgets set early in the year are worth revisiting.
Go Trucking Services handles air freight and LAX CFS pickup and delivery for shippers in Greater Los Angeles — see Air Freight and Drayage, or request a quote on the home page.
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Image: Glenn Beltz, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
