According to the monthly report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released today, air cargo demand continued to grow in September 2025. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 2.9% compared to September 2024 (+3.2% for international operations). Meanwhile, available cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), rose by 3.0% compared to September 2024 (+4.4% for international operations).
Air cargo demand grew by 2.9% year-on-year in September, marking the seventh consecutive month of overall growth. Capacity, in turn, increased by 7.4% year-on-year.
Regional performance in September: * Asia-Pacific: airlines experienced a 6.8% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand. * Europe: airlines showed a 2.5% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in September. * Middle East: airlines reported a 0.6% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in September. * Africa: airlines experienced a 14.7% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in September, the largest increase of all regions. * North America: airlines registered a 1.2% year-on-year decrease in air cargo growth in September. * Latin America: airlines experienced a 2.2% year-on-year decrease in air cargo demand in September, the smallest growth of all regions, while offered belly capacity, contrarily, increased by 3.1% year-on-year.
In September, air cargo volumes increased on most major trade corridors. Routes Europe-Asia and within Asia registered solid double-digit growth, while Middle East-Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable increases. In contrast, routes Asia-North America, Middle East-Europe, and within Europe recorded declines.
Several operational factors affected the final results of the ninth month of the year. However, this has been largely offset by strong growth within Asia and on routes connecting Asia with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Jet fuel prices rose by 5.4% in September, despite the drop in oil prices, due to a tighter diesel market, which doubled the year-on-year refining margin. On the other hand, the global manufacturing sector strengthened in September, with the PMI rising for the second consecutive month to reach 51.3.
Behind this growth lies a significant alteration of trade patterns, due to the entry into force of U.S. tariff policies, including the removal of minimis exemptions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. He added that, “on one hand, a decrease in demand between North America and Asia has been recorded over the last five months.
