According to the report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Latin American airlines experienced an 11.2% increase in air cargo demand in January, representing the largest growth among all regions. Compared to January 2024, total demand increased by 3.2% in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), marking the eighteenth consecutive month of growth.
During the same period, the capacity offered in the hold increased by 10.6% year-on-year. In North America, air cargo demand grew by 5.3%, with a 7.5% increase in capacity. Meanwhile, European airlines reported a 1.3% growth in demand, with a 3.5% increase in capacity.
In contrast, Middle Eastern airlines recorded an 8.4% decrease in air cargo demand in January, making it the region with the softest decline. African airlines also experienced a 3.4% decrease in demand.
On the other hand, Asia-Pacific airlines had a 7.5% growth in air cargo demand in January. Although yields remain above January 2024 levels, there was a 9.9% decrease compared to December.
Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, highlighted that while there are favorable factors such as trade growth and the expansion of e-commerce, it is necessary to closely monitor market conditions.
Regarding trade routes, the majority of international routes experienced growth in January, marking 18 consecutive months of growth for air cargo. However, the year-on-year growth of 3.2% from the last month shows a moderation compared to previous years. Airlines benefit from increasing e-commerce demand, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, amid capacity constraints in maritime transport. An additional uncertainty is the possibility of trade policies driven by tariffs from the U.S. Administration.
