Global air freight demand increased by 5.6% in January, but regional performance varied.

Investing.com – Data released Monday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that global air freight demand in January 2026 increased by 5.6% year-over-year, with total demand measured in freight ton-kilometers rising compared to January 2025.

During the same period, international route operations grew more strongly, up 7.2%. Capacity measured in available freight ton-kilometers increased by 3.6% compared to January 2025, with international capacity rising by 5.7%.

Regional performance varied significantly, with airlines in Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe reporting above-average growth. North American airlines, however, experienced an overall contraction.

Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, stated that air freight demand started 2026 strongly. He pointed out that evolving U.S. trade policies and hostilities in the Middle East are expected to put pressure on global supply chains in the coming months. These issues will be discussed at the World Air Cargo Symposium scheduled for March 10-12, 2026, in Lima, Peru.

In December 2025, global merchandise trade grew by 4.9% year-over-year. In January, aviation fuel prices decreased by 6.5% year-over-year. The global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.8 in January, the highest in a year and a half, while the new export orders PMI increased to 49.9.

In January, air freight demand in Asia-Pacific increased by 7.8% year-over-year, with capacity up 3.3%. North American airlines saw a 0.5% decline in demand, the only region with a capacity decrease, which was 0.2%.

European airlines experienced a 6.9% increase in demand and a 4.9% increase in capacity. Middle Eastern airlines saw demand rise by 9.3% and capacity by 9.9%, the largest growth among all regions.

Latin American and Caribbean airlines saw demand decline by 2.0%, the weakest performance among all regions, while capacity increased by 2.3%. African airlines experienced the strongest growth, with demand up 18.2% and capacity up 6.5%.

In January 2026, air freight volumes on most major trade corridors increased. Africa-Asia routes grew by 41.6%, marking seven consecutive months of growth. Asia-North America routes declined by 0.6%. Europe-Asia routes increased by 15.2%, maintaining growth for 35 consecutive months. Europe-Middle East routes grew by 10.2%, and Europe-North America routes increased by 3.8%, both for 24 consecutive months. Middle East-Asia routes grew by 12.9%, maintaining growth for 11 months. Freight volume within Asia increased by 14.3%, continuing 27 months of growth. Within Europe, freight volume increased by 1.0%, marking two consecutive months of growth.

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