Air cargo: African airlines record 3.9% growth as global demand stands at 0.8%

As African airlines in June 2025 recorded a 3.9% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo, the overall global air cargo demand grew by a modest 0.8% year-on-year in the same month. The capacity of African airlines increased by 6.2% year-on-year.

This is according to the data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for June 2025 global air cargo markets.

The data, which highlighted the performances of other regions of the world, shown total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 0.8% compared to June 2024 levels (1.6% for international operations).

Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 1.7% compared to June 2024 (2.8% for international operations).

According to IATA, several factors in the operating environment responsible for this growth.

Year-on-year, world industrial production rose 3.2% in May and global goods trade grew by 3.5%.

The June jet fuel price was 12% lower year-on-year, a fourth consecutive year-on-year monthly decline. It was, however, 8.6% up on May prices.

Global manufacturing rebounded in June, with the PMI rising above the 50 mark to 51.2. The PMI for new export orders improved by 1.2 index points but remained in negative territory (49.3), under pressure from recent US trade policy shifts

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, has this to say on the growth, “Overall, air cargo demand grew by a modest 0.8% year-on-year in June, but there are very differing stories behind that number for the industry’s major players. Trade tensions saw North American traffic fall by 8.3% and European growth stagnate at 0.8%. But Asia-Pacific bucked the trend to report a 9.0% expansion. Meanwhile disruptions from military conflict in the Middle East saw the region’s cargo traffic fall by 3.2%.

“The June air cargo data made it very clear that stability and predictability are essential supports for trade. Emerging clarity on US tariffs allows businesses greater confidence in planning. But we cannot overlook the fact that the ‘deals’ being struck are resulting in significantly higher tariffs on goods imported into the US than we had just a few months ago. The economic damage of these cost barriers to trade remains to be seen. In the meantime, governments should redouble efforts to make trade facilitation simpler, faster, cheaper and more secure with digitalization,” said Walsh.

Other Regional Performances
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 9.0% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June, the strongest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 7.8% year-on-year.

North American carriers saw an 8.3% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in June, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by 5.1% year-on-year.

European carriers saw 0.8% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June. Capacity increased 2.6% year-on-year.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 3.2% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in June. Capacity increased by 1.5% year-on-year.

Latin American carriers saw a 3.5% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in June. Capacity decreased by 0.4% year-on-year.

“The June air cargo data made it very clear that stability and predictability are essential supports for trade. Emerging clarity on US tariffs allows businesses greater confidence in planning. But we cannot overlook the fact that the ‘deals’ being struck are resulting in significantly higher tariffs on goods imported into the US than we had just a few months ago. The economic damage of these cost barriers to trade remains to be seen. In the meantime, governments should redouble efforts to make trade facilitation simpler, faster, cheaper and more secure with digitalization,” said Walsh.

Trade Lane Growth: Air freight volumes in June 2025 increased for major trade corridors from/within Europe and Middle East-Asia. However, other relevant trade routes from/within Asia and from North America have decreased significantly in the most recent month.