IATA Reports 5.5% Growth in Global Air Cargo Demand for July 2025
Global air cargo demand increased by 5.5% in July 2025, according to the latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), marking a strong month for the sector despite growing uncertainty over U.S. trade policy.
Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), rose 5.5% compared to July 2024, while available capacity increased 3.9%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh described the results as “a strong performance,” noting that most major trade lanes posted growth.
The exception was Asia–North America, where demand declined 1% year-on-year, largely due to a drop in e-commerce shipments following the expiration of U.S. de minimis exemptions on small imports. However, Walsh noted that shippers frontloaded goods ahead of expected tariff increases, softening the impact.
Regional Performance
Asia-Pacific airlines led with an 11.1% increase in demand and a 7.3% rise in capacity.
North American carriers recorded the weakest growth at 0.7%, with capacity down 0.6%.
European airlines posted a 4.1% demand increase, while capacity grew 4%.
Middle Eastern carriers saw demand climb 2.6%, with capacity up 5.9%.
Latin American carriers reported 2.4% growth, with capacity rising 3.8%.
African airlines achieved a 9.4% increase in demand, despite a slight 0.1% dip in capacity.
Walsh highlighted that the Europe–Asia trade lane, which accounts for one-fifth of global air freight, continued its long streak of expansion with 13.5% year-on-year growth in July.
IATA noted that global goods trade rose 3.1% in July, while jet fuel prices were 9.1% lower year-on-year, though up 4.3% from June.
However, the global manufacturing PMI fell to 49.66, signaling contraction, with export orders at just 48.2, reflecting weaker confidence amid U.S. trade policy shifts.
“While much attention is focused on the U.S. market, the broader global network continues to show resilience,” Walsh said.
