Airlines in Latin America and the Caribbean recorded a 2.0% year-on-year decrease in air cargo demand in January, the worst performance of all regions, while offered belly capacity increased by 2.3% year-on-year. This is according to the monthly report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), released today and accessed by the Argentine News Agency. In turn, total global demand, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTK), increased by 5.6% compared to January 2025 levels (+7.2% for international operations), while capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.6% compared to January 2025 (+5.7% for international operations). Air cargo demand had a strong start to 2026, with a 5.6% year-on-year increase in January. Capacity increased by 9.9% year-on-year, the largest increase of all regions. African airlines experienced an 18.2% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in January, the highest growth of all regions. Capacity increased by 3.3% year-on-year. North American airlines experienced a 0.5% year-on-year decrease in air cargo demand in January. North America was the only region to show a decrease in capacity, with a slight 0.2% year-on-year decrease. European airlines recorded a 6.9% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in January. Capacity increased by 4.9% year-on-year. Middle Eastern airlines recorded a 9.3% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in January. Capacity increased by 6.5% year-on-year. In January 2026, air cargo volume increased on most major trade routes, with the notable exception of the Asia-North America route. In contrast, Latin American airlines recorded aggregate contractions. "The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. World trade in goods grew by 4.9% year-on-year in December 2025, jet fuel prices decreased by 6.5% year-on-year in January, and global manufacturing confidence strengthened in January, with the global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) surpassing the 50-point expansion threshold to 51.8, its highest level in over a year and a half. The export new orders PMI rose to 49.9, slightly below the growth threshold but the highest in 10 months, reflecting a mixed but cautiously optimistic industrial performance." Regional performance Airlines in Asia-Pacific recorded a 7.8% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in January, maintaining the region as the main driver of sector expansion. Airlines in Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe recorded growth above the world average. "In addition to persistent uncertainties arising from the evolution of U.S. trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will have a severe impact on global supply chains," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. He added that "addressing these issues will gain greater relevance in the debates of the upcoming World Cargo Symposium, to be held in Lima, Peru (March 10-12, 2026), where strengthening the adaptability and efficiency of air cargo through digitalization and other measures will be a key aspect." Several factors in the operating environment influenced these figures. Regionally, the situation is more diverse.
