The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a 2.9% increase in global air cargo demand for September 2025 compared to the previous year. The data shows that demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, rose with international shipments experiencing a 3.2% increase while capacity expanded by 3.0%. Despite some regional declines, notably in North America–Asia routes, the industry demonstrated resilience through growth in Asia and routes connecting Asia to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, explained that trade policy adjustments, including the end of de minimis exemptions, have led to shifts in demand patterns. Asia-Pacific carriers reported the highest regional growth at 6.8%, and African airlines experienced a 14.7% demand increase—the strongest among all regions. Conversely, North American carriers faced a modest 1.2% decrease in demand, reflecting regional variations in market activity.
Trade Lane Trends
Major trade corridors exhibited diverse performance, with Europe–Asia recording a 12.4% growth, and within Asia routes expanding by 10.0%. Meanwhile, Asia–North America saw a 3.5% decline after five months of consecutive drops. These patterns underscore the ongoing adaptation of air freight services to changing economic conditions and trade flows.
The report also highlights regulatory advancements, including updates to dangerous goods, live animal transport, and ground handling procedures. Industry leaders are focusing on digital tools and safety standards to improve operational efficiency and sustainability. Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President, emphasized that nearly 100 revisions to core manuals aim to align industry practices with technological and regulatory developments, ensuring safer and more sustainable aviation activities overall.
Overall, the data and industry updates reflect a resilient air cargo sector positioned to meet the evolving demands of global trade and regulation.
