AIR CARGO EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF GROWTH IN OCTOBER
On 28 November, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published its air cargo market data for October, confirming eight consecutive months of growth in global air freight demand.
Total cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), increased by 4.1% compared to October 2024 (+4.8% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), rose by 5.1% overall and by 6.4% for international services. European carriers reported a 4.3% year-on-year increase in demand, matched by a 4.3% rise in capacity. Traffic on the Europe–Asia trade lane remained particularly strong, with demand up 11.7% year-on-year, marking 32 consecutive months of growth. Demand on the North America–Europe route also increased (+2.6%), while intra-EU traffic declined slightly (-0.3%), marking its third decrease this year.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh highlighted that the shifting growth pattern, including the continued double-digit expansion on Europe–Asia routes, demonstrates how air cargo is enabling global supply chains to adapt to the impact of US tariffs.
Source: IATA