AIR CARGO GROWTH CONTINUES AMID MIDDLE EAST DISRUPTIONS
On 29 June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published its latest air cargo market data for May 2026, showing continued growth in global demand despite the ongoing impact of the conflict in the Middle East on regional operations.
Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), increased by 6.0% year-on-year (6.5% for international operations), while capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), increased by 1.9% (2.8% for international operations).
European carriers recorded a 6.7% year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity rising by 2.2%. Europe–Asia traffic continued its strong momentum, increasing by 10.0%, while intra-European traffic grew by 11.5%. In contrast, traffic between Europe and the Middle East declined by 19.8% for the third consecutive month, reflecting the continued disruption at major Gulf hubs.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted that robust demand, higher yields and improved load factors are helping airlines offset higher operating costs despite continued geopolitical uncertainty, demonstrating the sector's resilience despite ongoing operational challenges.
Source: IATA