The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a 4% rise in global air cargo demand for April compared to the same month last year, despite ongoing disruptions in West Asia. This growth marks a continued recovery in the air freight sector, which has faced challenges from geopolitical tensions and supply chain constraints.
Key Highlights
- Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), increased by 4% year-on-year in April.
- Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), rose by 7.1% compared to April 2023.
- The load factor decreased by 1.6 percentage points to 57.4% due to capacity growth outpacing demand.
Regional Performance
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 5.1% increase in demand, while North American carriers experienced a 2.3% rise. European airlines reported a 3.8% growth, and Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.9% increase despite regional disruptions. Latin American airlines recorded a 6.2% rise, and African airlines posted a 4.5% gain.
Impact of West Asia Disruptions
IATA noted that the disruptions in West Asia, including conflicts and trade route diversions, have not significantly dampened overall demand. However, they have contributed to capacity constraints in some regions. The association emphasized the resilience of air cargo operations amid these challenges.
Outlook
IATA expects air cargo demand to continue growing, supported by e-commerce expansion and global trade recovery. The association highlighted the need for efficient supply chain management and infrastructure investments to sustain growth. With capacity increasing faster than demand, yields may face pressure in the coming months.
