Air cargo traffic remains resilient with 4% growth in August

Global air cargo traffic remained strong in August, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth. August’s air cargo traffic , measured in cargo tonne kilometers (CTK), rose 4.1% YoY and traffic on international lanes grew 5.1% YoY, according to data released today by IATA. Capacity, measured in available CTKs, rose 3.7% YoY and rose 5.5% YoY for international operations. “Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said in the release. “Air cargo has benefited from a shift from sea for some high-value goods as shippers try to minimize the risk of tariff changes .” External factors The release highlighted these operating environment factors: Global goods trade grew 4% YoY in July, the latest data available. Air cargo traffic in July grew 5.5% YoY. Global jet fuel prices in August fell 6.4% YoY, marking the 14th consecutive month of YoY decline, but rose 4.3% month over month. Prices this year have remained below 2024 levels, reducing airlines’ operating costs. The monthly average spot price for U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel in August was $2.02 per gallon , a 7% YoY decrease, according to the Energy Information Administration. August’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for global manufacturing output rebounded to 51.8, its strongest reading since June 2024, from 49.7 in July. A PMI above 50 indicates growth and one below 50 indicates contraction. The PMI for new export orders remained in negative territory for the fifth month, despite rising 0.5 points to 48.7, “reflecting persistent caution amid tariff uncertainty ,” IATA said. [caption id="attachment_57291969" align="aligncenter" width="1310"] (Courtesy/IATA)[/caption] Regional performance All regions except North America saw YoY traffic growth in August, with African carriers seeing the strongest YoY growth. By region YoY: African carrier traffic grew 11% and capacity grew 12.3%; Asia-Pacific carrier traffic grew 9.8% and capacity grew 6.9%; European carrier traffic grew 3.2% and capacity grew 4.2%; Middle Eastern carrier traffic grew 2.7% and capacity grew 4.3%; Latin American carrier traffic grew 2.1% and capacity grew 5%; and North American carrier traffic fell 2.1% and capacity fell 1%. Trade lane performance Air cargo volumes in August “increased significantly” across most major trade corridors, according to IATA. Traffic on the Asia-North America trade lane declined for the fourth consecutive month. “Growth patterns indicate some [air cargo] being diverted away from North America, fueling stronger growth for the Europe-Asia, within-Asia, Africa-Asia and Middle East-Asia trade lanes,” Walsh said. “This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of U.S. tariff policy.” By trade lane: Europe-Asia grew 13% YoY, the 30th consecutive month of growth; Intra-Asia grew 12.4% YoY, the 22nd consecutive month of growth; Africa-Asia rose 8.4% YoY, the second consecutive month of growth; North America-Europe grew 7.8% YoY, the 19th consecutive month of growth; Middle East-Asia grew 7.8% YoY, the sixth consecutive month of growth; Middle East-Europe fell 0.8% YoY, after growing 0.3% in July, which had ended a six-month streak of contraction; and Asia-North America fell 2.2% YoY, the fourth consecutive month of contraction. Cargo Facts Symposium, the quintessential event for stakeholders and key leaders in the global freighter and air cargo industries, will take place Oct. 22-24 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville . Learn more and register today to attend this key industry event. Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 19 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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