The latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) report shows that African airlines experienced a 9.4% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in July 2025, one of the strongest performances globally.

Cargo capacity for the region slipped slightly by 0.1% compared to July 2024.

The IATA report on July 2025 global air cargo markets highlighted this growth and provided insights into regional freight trends.

“African airlines saw a 9.4% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity decreased by 0.1% year-on-year,” the report stated.

Compared with other regional markets, Asia-Pacific carriers led with 11.1% growth, driven by Europe–Asia routes, which expanded 13.5%, extending their run of 29 consecutive months of gains. Regional capacity rose 7.3%.

European airlines recorded a 4.1% increase in demand, with capacity up 4.0%, while Middle Eastern carriers grew 2.6%, against a 5.9% rise in capacity.

Latin America saw 2.4% growth, alongside a 3.8% increase in capacity.

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North America delivered the weakest result, with just 0.7% growth, as Asia–North America volumes fell 1.0% following the end of de minimis exemptions on small e-commerce shipments. Regional capacity slipped 0.6%.

Globally, total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose 5.5% compared to July 2024, with international operations up 6.0%.

Available cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), grew 3.9%, while international operations recorded a 4.5% increase.

The IATA report also highlighted that trade lane performance was mixed across major global corridors.

The Asia–North America route, which accounts for 24.4% of total industry volumes, contracted by 1.0%, marking its third consecutive monthly decline.

By contrast, the Europe–Asia corridor expanded 13.5%, extending a 29-month growth streak and representing 20.5% of global freight activity.

SP/MA

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