Even though the rebound in global airfreight traffic slowed, pricing continued to rise further, indicating that the price of jet fuel is replacing capacity constraints as the driver of upward rate momentum, said a report. GCC-based airlines continued to rebuild their capacity but still face constraints from the conflict.
The sharp rise in global air cargo rates following the outbreak of war involving the US, Israel and Iran is showing signs of slowing, as a fragile ceasefire allows capacity to gradually return to Middle East markets. The recovery was led by Gulf markets, where the capacity shortfall narrowed to 46% from 53%.
IATA reported robust global air cargo growth in February 2026, with total demand rising 11.2% year-on-year in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK) and international operations increasing slightly more, by 11.6%, compared to February 2025.
Global air cargo rates have continued to rise strongly as stakeholders adjust to the dynamic and highly challenging conditions following the military attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, and Iran’s retaliatory strikes on targets in the region, said a report.
The air cargo spot rates continues to rise sharply amid the highly volatile, unstable and fast-changing situation in the Middle East. As per WorldACD Market Data reports, there has been some recovery in the air cargo markets since the Iran war, with the average spot rates from Gulf countries up 22%.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in air cargo with three initiatives to improve operational efficiency, strengthen safety and compliance, and accelerate innovation across the global air cargo value chain.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in air cargo with three initiatives to improve operational efficiency, strengthen safety and compliance, and accelerate innovation across the global air cargo value chain.
Air cargo played a key role in supporting global trade and economic growth in 2025 as companies navigated heightened trade policy uncertainty, according to IATA. It enabled the front-loading of $157 billion US imports and carried two-thirds of global AI-related goods by value in Q1.
The Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) showcased expansion plans in air cargo, integrated logistics solutions as well as its sustainability strategy at this year's Air Cargo India. The Sharjah Airport has recorded strong cargo growth over the past five years with a throughput of over 204,000 tonnes in 2025.
Global air cargo demand rose in the first full week of February, as freighter capacity from Central and South America normalised after the peak of Valentine’s Day flower shipments and airlines reduced capacity from parts of Greater China ahead of Lunar New Year, said a report.
