Global air cargo demand continued to expand in August 2026, with freight markets maintaining positive momentum despite tighter capacity and rising fuel costs, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Global cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), the industry measure of air cargo demand, increased by 4.4% year-on-year in August, while international cargo demand grew by 5.3%. The growth was recorded across all major carrier regions, although North America and Asia-Pacific remained the strongest contributors to the overall increase.
North American carriers recorded a 10.1% increase in demand, while the Asia-Pacific market continued to benefit from strong trade flows. The Asia-North America corridor remained one of the strongest major international freight routes, highlighting the continued importance of transpacific trade to the global air cargo network. Middle Eastern carriers recorded more modest growth of 1.0%, with several important international routes continuing to face pressure.
At the same time, global cargo capacity declined slightly. Available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) fell by 0.1% compared with August 2025, while international capacity increased by 0.1%. The combination of stronger demand and limited capacity lifted the global cargo load factor by 2 percentage points to 46.0%, indicating improved utilisation of available freight capacity.
The performance comes against a supportive trade environment. Global goods trade increased by 6.0% year-on-year in July, extending a 33-month sequence of annual growth. Manufacturing activity also remained positive in August, with the global manufacturing output Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching 53.0 and the new export orders index rising to 51.4. These indicators point to continued demand for international freight transportation.
However, rising operating costs remain a significant challenge for airlines. Jet fuel prices increased by 8.3% month-on-month in August and were 79.2% higher than a year earlier. Higher fuel expenses are putting pressure on airline margins, even as stronger cargo demand and improved load factors provide some support. Cargo yields also increased from the previous month, marking their first monthly rise since April.
The latest figures follow a year of considerable volatility for the air freight sector. Demand contracted sharply during March amid disruption in the Middle East before recovering in subsequent months. August’s 4.4% growth therefore demonstrates the industry’s ability to adjust networks and respond to changing trade patterns.
With the year-end peak shipping period approaching, airlines are entering an important phase for freight operations. Continued growth in global trade could support demand, while fuel prices, geopolitical developments and capacity constraints will remain important factors influencing routes, operating costs and freight pricing.
The latest performance suggests that air cargo remains an important component of global supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive and high-value goods. While market conditions remain challenging, sustained trade growth and stronger utilisation of available capacity are providing a positive foundation for the sector heading into the final months of 2026.
