Total air cargo demand, measured cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose by 5.5% in November 2025, compared to the same month a year prior, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), published today (January 8, 2026). Demand for international operations were up 6.9%.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said the growth was “boosted by shippers prioritising timely delivery in the lead-up to the year-end holiday season”.
He added: “Globally, the fourth quarter for air cargo was resilient as strategic re-routing of trade shaped performance across key markets. The strong end for 2025 bodes well for the air cargo industry as it enters the new year.”
Capacity, measured in available cargo-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 4.7%. Capacity for international operations was up 6.5%.