The International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s global air cargo markets data for May 2026 shows that “African airlines saw a 13.3% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in May, the strongest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 1.3% year-on-year.”
The data also revealed that “Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 6.0% compared to May 2025 levels (6.5% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 1.9% compared to May 2025 (2.8% for international operations).”
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh said: “Air cargo demand grew 6% year-on-year in May, with Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North American regions all reporting above trend growth. Carriers in the Middle East, however, reported a combined contraction of 8.9% year-on-year as war-related impacts continued. May’s strong performance coupled with macro-economic factors give cautious optimism for air cargo’s prospects over the remainder of the year. Trade and manufacturing output are both growing. Airlines have adapted operations to align with shifting demand patterns and supply chain needs. Meanwhile, yield growth and higher load factors are helping to recoup higher fuel costs. It’s still a tough year, particularly as Middle East uncertainties weigh heavily on parts of the industry, but robust demand and airline resilience are clear.”
According to IATA, several factors in the air cargo operating environment should be noted:
- Global trade increased by 5.0% year-on-year, extending 25 months of consecutive annual growth.
- Jet fuel prices fell by 16.3% month-on-month in May but remained 93.5% above year-earlier levels.
IATA stated that “global manufacturing activity remained supportive in May, but export orders weakened. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.5, while the New Export Orders Index stayed below the 50-mark at 49.6, suggesting air cargo growth was supported by selected trade flows rather than a broad-based rise in global exports.”
Air Cargo Market in Detail – May 2026
| May 2026 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
| Total Market | 100% | 6.0% | 1.9% | 1.8 | 46.3% |
| Africa | 2.1% | 13.3% | 1.3% | 5.0 | 46.9% |
| Asia-Pacific | 35.8% | 8.0% | 5.1% | 1.3 | 47.7% |
| Europe | 21.4% | 6.7% | 2.2% | 2.3 | 53.9% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 2.9% | 1.9% | 5.6% | -1.2 | 34.8% |
| Middle East | 13.2% | -8.9% | -9.2% | 0.2 | 46.5% |
| North America | 24.6% | 10.5% | 2.4% | 3.0 | 41.0% |
(*1) % of industry CTK in 2025 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level Source: IATA