Report: African airlines lead global air cargo growth in August
African airlines recorded the strongest air cargo demand growth worldwide in August 2025, according to new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Naira Metrics report.
The region posted an 11% year-on-year increase in demand, the highest among all regions, while capacity also rose by 12.3% over the same period.
Globally, air cargo demand grew 4.1% compared to August 2024, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year expansion. International operations rose 5.1%, while global capacity increased 3.7% (+5.5% for international).
“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2025 global air cargo markets showing: total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose by 4.1% compared to August 2024 levels (+5.1% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 3.7% compared to August 2024 (+5.5% for international operations),” the IATA report read.
It added: “African airlines saw a 11.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in August, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity increased by 12.3% year-on-year.”
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, linked the performance to a shift from sea freight to air freight for high-value goods. “Shippers seek to mitigate tariff risks,” he explained, noting that growth was especially strong on the Europe–Asia, Within Asia, Africa–Asia, and Middle East–Asia trade lanes. However, demand slowed on North America-related routes.
Regionally, Asia-Pacific airlines saw demand grow 9.8% in August with capacity up 6.9%. Europe posted 3.2% growth, while Middle Eastern carriers gained 2.7%. Latin America recorded 2.1% growth, but North America contracted by 2.1%, the weakest result globally.
