Key Findings of IATA’s February Report

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported an 11.2% increase in global air cargo demand for February 2026 compared to February 2025. Capacity also saw an increase of 8.5% in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK).

Willie Walsh, the IATA Director-General, commented:

“Even considering the boost that February received from the movement of goods ahead of Lunar New Year, the month showed strong growth. The outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of the month, however, makes it difficult to see how full-year performance will unfold. Sharply rising fuel costs, fuel scarcity, and disruption to key cargo hubs in the Gulf are significant shifts.”
(Translation: Walsh indicates that while demand increased, geopolitical tensions may complicate future projections.)

Influencing Factors

Several factors have influenced the current operating environment:

• A 5.2% increase in global goods trade was noted in January.
• Jet fuel prices saw a 1.2% rise year-on-year in February, indicating volatility in refining margins.
• Manufacturing sentiment improved, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 53.1, suggesting positive conditions for air cargo demand.

Regional Performance Highlights

• Asia-Pacific: 13.6% growth in air cargo demand, capacity up by 10.1%.
• North America: 9.4% increase in demand; capacity rose by 5.3%.
• Europe: Demand increased by 6.9%, with capacity up 6.1%.
• Middle East: 16.5% rise in demand; capacity grew by 13.5%.
• Latin America & Caribbean: Modest 0.7% growth, the lowest among regions; capacity increased by 4.5%.
• Africa: Notable 21.0% increase in demand, with a 17.3% rise in capacity, the strongest performance in all regions.