Worldwide air cargo tonnages and rates for the first half of 2026 were well up on last year’s levels with the June’s figures up 9% over the same month last year, and stable compared to May, despite the disruptions to capacity and markets in the Middle East, said a report.
Total global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 6.0% in May this year, compared to May 2025 levels (6.5% for international operations), according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.
Global air cargo volumes rebounded in the first week of June as airlines restored capacity following disruptions caused by a convergence of public holidays in Europe (Pentecost), US (Memorial Day) and Eid Al Adha festival affecting notably Middle East & South Asia and Africa origin regions.
Global air cargo demand rose 4% year-on-year in April, supported by robust Asia-linked trade flows, despite severe disruption at major Gulf hubs from conflict in the Middle East that reshaped trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors, said a report.
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.
