Global Air Cargo Demand Rose 7.7% in September 2026
Global cargo demand grew year over year, while available capacity increased at a slower pace, according to figures attributed to IATA.
FlyMarshall Newsroom1 min read
Photo: Air Cargo Week
Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, rose 7.7% in September 2026 compared with a year earlier. The figures were attributed to an International Air Transport Association data release dated October 29.
Key details
- International cargo demand rose 8.6% year over year.
- Available capacity increased 2.7% globally and 3.3% on international operations.
- The global cargo load factor reached 47.9%, up 2.2 percentage points.
- Demand grew across all six regions: North America 11.8%, Asia-Pacific 8.6%, Latin America and the Caribbean 6.7%, Africa 4.7%, Europe 4.5%, and the Middle East 3.8%.
- Asia–North America traffic rose 17.0%, the strongest growth among major trade lanes.
North America recorded the fastest regional demand growth at 11.8%.
Why it matters
Demand outpaced capacity growth, and the global load factor increased. For airlines and cargo customers, those figures show how much space carriers filled as shipments grew. Regional results also varied, with North America leading demand growth and Asia–North America traffic posting the highest increase among major lanes.
What happens next
The September figures give cargo operators and customers a fresh measure of demand across regions and trade lanes. Which market will lead air cargo growth in the months ahead?
More stories
IAG Cargo Moves Hundreds of Tonnes of Flowers to Spain Ahead of All Saints' Day
Global Airfreight Demand Rose for Second Month in September 2026
TIACA Miami Forum Draws Cargo Leaders and Marks Industry Leadership Changes
Turkish Airlines to Lease Two Boeing 777 Freighters From AerCap
FedEx Targets More Airfreight From Parcel Customers
