The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released global air cargo market data for June 2025, revealing a modest 0.8% year-on-year increase in total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK). Available cargo capacity (ACTK) also rose by 1.7% compared to June 2024. IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted that while overall demand grew slightly, regional performance varied sharply. Asia-Pacific airlines outperformed with a strong 9% increase in cargo demand, backed by a 7.8% rise in capacity. In contrast, North American carriers faced an 8.3% decline in demand, the sharpest drop among all regions, with capacity falling 5.1%. European carriers saw flat growth at 0.8%, while Middle Eastern airlines experienced a 3.2% decline in demand despite a 1.5% capacity rise. Latin American and African airlines reported growth of 3.5% and 3.9% respectively, with Africa also seeing a notable 6.2% increase in capacity.
Walsh emphasized the importance of stability and predictability for global trade, highlighting how geopolitical tensions and shifting US tariff policies are affecting export confidence and trade flows. Although emerging clarity on US tariffs has given some planning confidence, he warned that significantly higher import duties may cause longer-term economic harm. Encouragingly, global goods trade rose 3.5% in May, industrial production increased 3.2%, and jet fuel prices in June were 12% lower year-on-year. Additionally, manufacturing rebounded with the global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 51.2, though export orders remained under pressure. Trade lane data showed growth in air freight volumes on routes connecting Europe and the Middle East to Asia, but significant declines were observed on intra-Asia and North America-related corridors. IATA called on governments to simplify and digitalize trade processes to enhance efficiency, lower costs, and support long-term growth.
