Air Cargo Demand Maintains Strong Momentum: IATA

Total demand, measured in cargo tone-kilometers (CTK), rose by 5.5% compared to November 2024 levels (+6.9% for international operations). Meanwhile, capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 4.7% compared to November 2024 (+6.5% for international operations), according to data released by The International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

“Air cargo demand grew 5.5% year-on-year in November 2025, boosted by shippers prioritizing timely delivery in the lead-up to the year-end holiday season. Strong emerging market demand and selective Middle Eastern growth more than made-up for softness in the Americas amid ongoing adjustment to the new U.S. tariff regime. 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,” says Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

Key takeaways:
 

• The global goods trade grew by 3.2% year-on-year in October.
• Jet fuel prices rose 5.9% in November despite falling crude prices, driven by refinery disruptions, EU restrictions on Russian-derived products, and limited spare refining capacity, pushing crack spreads close to double last year’s levels.
• Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened in November, with the PMI rising for the fourth consecutive month to reach 51.17. New export orders improved slightly to 49.87, but remained below the 50-point expansion threshold, reflecting ongoing caution amid tariff uncertainty.
• North American carriers saw a 1.6% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in November. Capacity decreased by 2.3% year-on-year.