31 March 2026 (Geneva) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2026 global air cargo markets showing:
‘Air cargo demand grew 11.2% in February. Even considering the boost that February received from the movement of goods ahead of Lunar New Year, the month showed strong growth. The outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of the month, however, makes it difficult to see how full-year performance will unfold. Sharply rising fuel costs, fuel scarcity in parts of the world, and the severe disruption to key cargo hubs in the Gulf are major shifts. While air cargo has repeatedly proven its resilience in the face of disruption, an early resolution of the war along with a normalization of fuel supply and costs would be in everybody’s interest,’ said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director dividend-of-aed-2-9-billion-for-2025/”>General.
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 13
6% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in February. Capacity increased by 10.1% year-on-year.
North American carriers saw a 9.4% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in February. Capacity increased by 5.3% year-on-year.
European carriers saw a 6.9% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February. Capacity increased 6.1% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 16.5% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February. Capacity increased by 13.5% year-on-year.
Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 0
7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February, the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity increased by 4.5% year-on-year.
African airlines saw a 21.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 17.3% year-on-year.
Air freight volumes in February 2026 increased across all major trade corridors.