African airlines record decrease in cargo markets despite 2.2% global growth

African airlines in May 2025 recorded a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo markets despite a 2.2% grew in the global demand. Although the capacity of African airlines increased by 2.7% year-on-year.

It was a mixed bag of increase and decrease in other regions of the world, according to the data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for May 2025 global air cargo markets.

The data showed total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 2.2% compared to May 2024 levels (+3.0% for international operations).

Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 2.0% compared to May 2024 (+2.6% for international operations).

“Air cargo demand globally grew 2.2% in May. That is encouraging news as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia to North America trade lane illustrated the dampening effect of shifting US trade policies. Even as these policies evolve, already we can see the air cargo sector’s well-tested resilience helping shippers to accommodate supply chain needs to flexibly hold back, re-route or accelerate deliveries,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

IATA attributed this growth to several factors in the operating environment. These include:
Year-on-year, world industrial production rose 2.6% in April 2025. Air cargo volumes grew 6.8% over the same period, outpacing global goods trade growth of 3.8%.

Jet fuel prices in May 2025 were 18.8% lower than the previous year and 4.3% below the previous month.

Global manufacturing contracted in May, with the PMI falling to 49.1, below the 50 mark that signals growth. New export orders also remained in negative territory at 48, reflecting pressure from recent U.S. trade policy changes.

May Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw 8.3% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May, the strongest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 5.7% year-on-year.

North American carriers saw a -5.8% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in May, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by -3.2% year-on-year.

European carriers saw 1.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 1.5% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw 3.6% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 4.2% year-on-year.

Latin American carriers saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 3.5% year-on-year.

African airlines saw a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 2.7% year-on-year.