Hong Kong Air Cargo launches flights to Athens
Jan 30, 2026 at 11:08 AM
SANY opens supply center in Dubai
Jan 30, 2026 at 12:19 PM
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released current data on global air freight for the year 2025. According to the report, demand increased by 3.4% compared to the previous year, reflected in an increase in freight transported in cargo ton kilometers (CTK). Particularly, international growth was 4.2%. The capacity in the air freight sector also grew by 3.7% (5.1% internationally).
In December 2025, the market closed with a demand that was 4.3% above the level of the previous year. Capacity increased by 4.5% in that month. These figures illustrate a persistently strong performance of the air freight market, despite the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts.
Market Development and Price Trends
IATA also reported that revenues in the air freight sector decreased by 1.5% year-on-year. This represents the smallest decline in the last three years, as a balanced relationship between supply and demand is emerging. Despite the competition that increases price pressure, revenues are still 37.2% above the level of 2019.
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, commented on the developments: “Air freight showed strong performance in 2025, with demand rising by 3.4% compared to the previous year. The strength of global e-commerce has driven volumes, even as trade relations with the U.S. were strained by rising tariffs and political uncertainties.” He added that growth in 2026 is expected to moderate to 2.4%, in line with historical trends.
Regional Differences and Trade Flows
Regional developments show significant differences. Asia-Pacific airlines recorded the strongest growth in air freight at 8.4%, while North American providers experienced a decline of 1.3%. In Europe, growth was 2.9%, while airlines in the Middle East recorded minimal growth of 0.3%.
Trade flows have also changed. The data for 2025 show a shift in global air freight flows from Asia to North America towards Asia to Europe. This development is attributed to the pressure situation from tariffs and the removal of the U.S. de minimis exemption. Strong growth rates were also observed within Asia and in the corridor between the Middle East and Asia.
Overall, the air freight market for 2025 shows robust performance, influenced by various factors such as global trade, jet fuel prices, and sentiment in the manufacturing industry. IATA will continue to monitor developments to analyze the impacts on the air freight industry.
