Global total air cargo demand up 3.2% in Jan 2025: IATA

Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 6.8 per cent YoY in the month (7.3 per cent for international operations).

"January marked 18 consecutive months of growth for air cargo, but the month’s 3.2 per cent YoY growth is a moderation from double-digit peaks in 2024. Similarly, yields, while still above January 2024 levels, saw a 9.9 per cent decline from December as cargo load factors also declined by an average of 1.5 percentage points,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh in a release from the organisation.

“While external factors such as trade growth, declining fuel costs and expanding e-commerce remain positive for air cargo, it is important to closely watch the evolution of market conditions at this time. In particular, the wild card is the potential for tariff-driven trade policies from the US Trump administration. Fortunately, the air cargo industry is well practiced at dealing with shifts in the operating environment," he noted.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 7.5-per cent YoY demand growth for air cargo in January. Capacity increased by 10.9 per cent YoY.

North American carriers saw a 5.3-per cent YoY demand growth, while their capacity rose by 7.5 per cent YoY.

European carriers saw a 1.3-per cent YoY growth, while their capacity increased by 3.5 per cent YoY.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 8.4-per cent YoY demand drop in the month, the slowest among the regions. Capacity decreased by 1.2 per cent YoY.

Latin American carriers saw a 11.2-per cent YoY increase in such demand growth in January, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity increased by 10.6 per cent YoY.

African airlines saw a 3.4-per cent YoY decrease in such demand in the month. Capacity increased by 5.4 per cent YoY.

Most international routes experienced growth in January. Airlines are benefitting from rising e-commerce demand in the US and Europe amid ongoing capacity limits in ocean shipping.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)