Air cargo demand climbed 5.5% year-on-year in July, signaling robust global performance across most major trade lanes, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

While Europe–Asia routes surged 13.5%, marking 29 consecutive months of growth, Asia–North America traffic dipped 1.0%—a decline attributed to changes in US de minimis exemptions and anticipation of rising import tariffs.

Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 5.5% in July 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. International cargo operations saw an even stronger rise, with demand up 6.0% year-on-year.

Cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), rose by 3.9% in July 2025 compared to the same month last year. International operations saw a slightly higher increase, with capacity up 4.5% year-on-year.

In June, IATA said total global air cargo demand rose by 0.8% compared to June 2024. In May, it was up  2.2% compared to May 2024.

 [Source: IATA]

IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasized the importance of maintaining a global perspective as evolving US trade policies continue to reshape cargo flows.

"Air cargo demand grew 5.5% in July, a strong result. Most major trade lanes reported growth, with one significant exception: Asia-North America, where demand was down 1.0% year-on-year."

"A sharp decline in e-commerce, as the US de minimis exemptions on small shipments expired, was likely offset by shippers frontloading goods in advance of rising tariffs for imports to the US."

Walsh said August will likely reveal more clearly the impact of shifting US trade policies. "While much attention is rightly being focused on developments in markets connected to the US, it is important to keep a broad perspective on the global network," he said, adding that a fifth of air cargo travels on the Europe-Asia trade lane, which marked 29 months of consecutive expansion with 13.5% year-on-year growth in July.

APAC airlines led regional performance

In July 2025, Asia-Pacific airlines led global air cargo growth with an 11.1% year-on-year increase in demand, supported by a 7.3% rise in capacity. African carriers also posted strong results, with demand up 9.4%, although capacity dipped slightly by 0.1%. European airlines saw a 4.1% increase in demand, closely matched by a 4.0% rise in capacity.

Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 2.6% growth in demand alongside a 5.9% increase in capacity, while Latin American airlines reported a 2.4% rise in demand and a 3.8% expansion in capacity.

IATA noted the North American carriers experienced the slowest growth, with demand edging up just 0.7% and capacity contracting by 0.6%.

[Source: IATA]

In terms of trade lane growth, IATA said air freight volumes in July 2025 increased significantly across all major trade corridors, with the exception of Middle East-Europe, which recorded only a marginal rise, and Asia-North America, which has seen three consecutive months of decline.