Global air cargo demand rose sharply in February, supported by strengthening trade and manufacturing activity, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 11.2% compared with February 2025, while international operations recorded a 11.6% rise. Capacity also expanded, with available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) up 8.5% year-on-year, or 9.8% for international markets.
IATA said the performance was partly supported by shipments ahead of the Lunar New Year, but pointed to broader strength in underlying demand.
“Air cargo demand grew 11.2% in February. Even considering the boost that February received from the movement of goods ahead of Lunar New Year, the month showed strong growth,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.
He added that the outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of the month has made the outlook more uncertain, citing sharply rising fuel costs, fuel scarcity in some regions and disruption to key cargo hubs in the Gulf. “While air cargo has repeatedly proven its resilience in the face of disruption, an early resolution of the war along with a normalization of fuel supply and costs would be in everybody’s interest,” he said.
IATA said the operating environment remained supportive, with global goods trade rising 5.2% year-on-year in January. Global manufacturing sentiment also strengthened in February, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching 53.1, while new export orders rose to 51.4, the highest level since July 2021.
Jet fuel prices increased by 1.2% year-on-year in February, with a widening Brent–jet fuel crack spread indicating continued volatility in refining margins.