The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for October 2025 global air cargo markets. According to the data, “African airlines saw a 16.6% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in October, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 20.0% year-on-year.”
The data also revealed that “Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 4.1% compared to October 2024 levels (+4.8% for international operations)” while “Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 5.1% compared to October 2024 (+6.4% for international operations).”
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said: “Air cargo demand grew 4.1% year-on-year in October, marking the eighth consecutive month of expansion and setting a new monthly record for volumes. While the Asia-North America trade lane extended its contraction to six months, October saw double-digit or near double-digit growth within Asia, between the Middle East and Europe, and between Europe and Asia. This shifting growth pattern shows that air cargo is enabling global supply chains to adapt to the impact of US tariffs. This positive news is especially significant as the air cargo sector enters the peak fourth quarter shipping season.”
According to IATA, several factors in the operating environment that should be noted include: “The global goods trade grew by 5.3% year-on-year in September.” IATA also reports that: “Global industrial production rose 3.7% year-on-year in September, the fastest pace since March 2025 and the strongest monthly reading since late 2022.”
On Jet fuel, IATA says “prices increased 2.5% in October even as crude fell, with a tightening diesel market driving the jet crack spread to nearly double last year’s level.”
Additionally, “Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened slightly in October, with the PMI rising for the third consecutive month to reach 51.45. New export orders deteriorated slightly to 48.31, remaining below the 50-point expansion threshold, reflecting ongoing caution amid tariff uncertainty.”
Air Cargo Market in Detail
| October 2025 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Market
|
100%
|
4.1%
|
5.1%
|
-0.5%
|
47.1%
|
|
Africa
|
2.0%
|
16.6%
|
20.0%
|
-1.2%
|
41.3%
|
|
Asia-Pacific
|
34.3%
|
8.3%
|
7.3%
|
0.5%
|
49.6%
|
|
Europe
|
21.5%
|
4.3%
|
4.3%
|
0.0%
|
54.7%
|
|
Latin America and the Caribbean
|
2.9%
|
-2.7%
|
2.8%
|
-2.2%
|
39.1%
|
|
Middle East
|
13.6%
|
5.7%
|
10.0%
|
-1.9%
|
46.7%
|
|
North America
|
25.7%
|
-2.7%
|
0.1%
|
-1.2%
|
40.9%
|
(*1) % of industry CTKs in 2024 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level Source: IATA