The International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched knowledge for February 2026 international air cargo markets displaying an 11.2 % enhance in total demand from the place it was in the identical interval in 2025.
At the identical time, capability in accessible cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) was up 8.5 % from the February 2025 determine.
According to IATA director-general Willie Walsh: “Even contemplating the increase that February obtained from the motion of products forward of Lunar New Year, the month confirmed sturdy development. The outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on the finish of the month, nevertheless, makes it tough to see how full-year efficiency will unfold. Sharply rising gas prices, gas shortage in components of the world, and the extreme disruption to key cargo hubs in the Gulf are main shifts. While air cargo has repeatedly confirmed its resilience in the face of disruption, an early decision of the conflict together with a normalization of gas provide and prices can be in everyone’s curiosity.
Factors to think about
Several components in the working surroundings must be famous:
- The international items commerce grew by 5.2 % year-on-year in January;.
- Jet gas costs rose 1.2% year-on-year in February, whereas a widening Brent–jet gas crack unfold highlighted continued volatility in refining margins;.and
- Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened in February, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 53.1, remaining above the 50-point growth threshold. The PMI for brand spanking new export orders rose to 51.4, above the expansion threshold and the very best degree since July 2021, indicating optimistic circumstances for air cargo demand.
Performance by area
- Asia-Pacific airways noticed a 13.6% year-on-year development in air cargo demand in February. Capacity elevated by 10.1% year-on-year.
- North American carriers noticed a 9.4% year-on-year enhance in air cargo demand in February. Capacity elevated by 5.3% year-on-year.
- European carriers noticed a 6.9% year-on-year enhance in demand for air cargo in February. Capacity elevated 6.1% year-on-year.
- Middle Eastern carriers noticed a 16.5% year-on-year enhance in demand for air cargo in February. Capacity elevated by 13.5% year-on-year.
- Latin American and Caribbean carriers noticed a 0.7% year-on-year enhance in demand for air cargo in February, the weakest efficiency of all areas. Capacity elevated by 4.5% year-on-year.
- African airways noticed a 21.0% year-on-year enhance in demand for air cargo in February, the strongest rise of all areas. Capacity elevated by 17.3% year-on-year.
