The International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s global air cargo markets data for August 2026 shows that “African airlines saw a 3.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August. Capacity increased by 14.0% year-on-year.”
The data also revealed that “Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 4.4% compared to August 2025 (+5.3% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), decreased by 0.1% compared to August 2025 (+0.1% for international operations).”
IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen said: “Air cargo demand rose 4.4% year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1%. Strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines to recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs. Yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, while global goods trade growth continues. Both are positive signs as the year-end peak season comes into view.”
According to IATA, there are several factors in the air cargo operating environment that should be noted:
Global trade increased by 6.0% year-on-year in July, extending the run of consecutive monthly expansions to 33 months, on a year-on-year basis.
Jet fuel prices rose by 8.3% month-on-month in August and were 79.2% higher than a year earlier.
IATA added that “global manufacturing activity increased in August. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased 0.3 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index rose 1.4 points to 51.4. Both indicators remained supportive of air cargo demand.”
Air Cargo Market in Detail – August 2026
| August 2026 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
| Total Market | 100% | 4.4% | -0.1% | 2.0 | 46.0% |
| Africa | 2.1% | 3.0% | 14.0% | -3.9 | 36.5% |
| Asia-Pacific | 35.8% | 4.3% | 1.2% | 1.5 | 48.6% |
| Europe | 21.4% | 4.1% | -3.5% | 3.9 | 53.0% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 2.9% | 5.1% | 3.3% | 0.6 | 34.9% |
| Middle East | 13.2% | 1.0% | 3.3% | -1.0 | 43.1% |
| North America | 24.6% | 6.6% | -2.5% | 3.6 | 42.0% |
(*1) % of industry CTK in 2025 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level Source: IATA