Global Air Cargo Demand Reached Record Volumes in 2025, IATA Reports
- barboraarendasova
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently released its official global air cargo market performance data for the full calendar year 2025 and December 2025, showing a new record in cargo demand, underscoring the vital role of air freight in global supply chains amid continuing economic and trade complexities. For logistics stakeholders, this underscores the continued strategic importance of air freight in resilient global supply chains and informs capacity planning and network strategy for 2026 and beyond
Key Air Cargo Market Highlights for 2025
According to IATA’s data:
Full‑year air cargo demand — measured in cargo tonne‑kilometers (CTKs) — grew by +3.4 % in 2025 compared with 2024.
Available cargo capacity (ACTK) increased by +3.7 % over the same period.
In December 2025 alone, demand was approximately 4.3 % higher year‑on‑year, with capacity up 4.5 % compared with December 2024.
These figures represent the highest annual cargo volumes on record, reflecting sustained global demand for time‑sensitive freight movement, especially e‑commerce and industrial supply chain goods.
Regional Performance Trends
The air cargo market’s performance exhibited notable regional variations:
Asia Pacific continued to lead, with demand growth outpacing the global average as intra‑regional and intercontinental trade flows expanded.
Europe showed moderate growth, supported by trade momentum with Asia and intra‑European logistics flows.
Africa logged robust increases in cargo output, driven by stronger trade ties and strengthening continental logistics networks.
North America saw a modest contraction in cargo growth, signaling a shift in some trade lanes and potential modal substitution.
These regional trends continue to shape global air freight networks and capacity planning, especially as carriers align fleet strategies with evolving freight demand.
Supply Chain Resilience and Trade Flows
IATA highlighted how air cargo adapted to changing supply chain conditions throughout 2025:
Businesses adjusted shipping strategies in response to new tariffs and the removal of certain tariff exemptions, particularly between the U.S. and Asia.
Air cargo demand has increasingly been driven by e‑commerce and technology product flows, which often require rapid delivery times compared with maritime freight alternatives.
Capacity constraints eased gradually, supporting broader distribution network flexibility.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasized that the resilience and adaptability of the air cargo sector kept global supply chains moving even as traditional trade lanes faced pressure.
Implications for Logistics and Global Trade
For supply chain and logistics professionals, the 2025 cargo data carries several important implications:
Strategic Network Planning
Carriers are likely to continue adjusting capacity and routings in response to shifting trade flows — particularly between Asia and Europe where demand remains robust.
Supply Chain Diversification
The growth in e‑commerce and critical parts transport reinforces the value of air freight as an agile link in complex supply chains, especially for goods requiring time‑definite delivery.
Yield and Rate Dynamics
Yields — prices per cargo unit — have moderated as capacity increases catch up with demand, yet remain higher than pre‑pandemic benchmarks, signaling continued pricing power in several markets.
Policy and Regulatory Context
Geopolitical and tariff shifts are increasingly affecting how supply chains route high‑value goods, with air freight acting as a buffer where maritime logistics face delays or rising costs.
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