According to data for March released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) global air cargo total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, increased by 4.4% compared to March 2024 levels (+5.5% for international operations), a historic peak for March.
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, expanded by 4.3% compared to March 2024 (+6.1% for international operations).
“March cargo volumes were strong. It is possible that this is partly a front-loading of demand as some businesses tried to beat the well-telegraphed 2 April tariff announcement by the Trump Administration. The uncertainty over how much of the 2 April proposals will be implemented may eventually weigh on trade. In the meantime, the lower fuel costs – which are also a result of the same uncertainty – are a short-term positive factor for air cargo. And, within the temporary pause on implementation we hope that political leaders will be able to shift trade tensions to reliable agreements that can restore confidence in global supply chains,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The Europe-North America route was the busiest trade lane in March. The largest trade lane by market share, Asia-North America, also grew strongly, possibly encouraged by front-loading shipments ahead of potential increased tariffs. Europe-Middle East and Africa-Asia were the only trade lanes to decline in March.
Source: IATA
