According to data for the month of July released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) the global air cargo markets were continuing their strong annual growth in demand.
Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, rose by 13.6% compared to July 2023 levels (14.3% for international operations). This is the eighth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth, with overall levels reaching heights not seen since the record peaks of 2021.
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, increased by 8.3% compared to July 2023 (10.1% for international operations). This was largely related to the growth in international belly capacity, which rose 12.8% on the strength of passenger markets and balancing the 6.9% growth of international freighter capacity.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 17.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in July the strongest of all regions, while North American carriers saw a 8.7% growth.
European carriers saw 13.7% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in July and Middle Eastern carriers saw 14.7% year-on-year demand growth.
Latin American carriers saw 11.1% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in July. African airlines saw 6.2% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in July the lowest of all regions and their lowest recorded figure in 2024.
Source: IATA