IATA reports a strong 5.8% rise in April air cargo demand, fuelled by consumer goods, pre-tariff front-loading, and lower jet fuel prices.
The global air cargo market experienced robust growth in April 2025, with total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increasing by a significant 5.8% compared to April 2024. International operations saw an even stronger rise of 6.5%, according to new data released today by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Capacity also expanded, with available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) up by 6.3% year-on-year (6.9% for international operations), indicating record levels of available space.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, attributed this strong performance to several key factors. “Air cargo demand grew strongly in April, building on March’s solid performance,” Walsh stated. He highlighted seasonal demand for fashion and consumer goods, front-loading ahead of anticipated US tariff changes, and lower jet fuel prices as major contributors to this boost. Jet fuel prices, in particular, saw a notable drop of 21.2% year-on-year and 4.1% month-on-month, marking the third consecutive monthly decrease.
Despite the positive figures, Walsh cautioned that “stresses in world trade are no secret”. He specifically pointed to shifts in trade policy, particularly in the US, which are already reshaping demand and export dynamics, urging airlines to remain flexible.
Further insights into the operating environment reveal that world industrial production rose by 3.2% in March, with air cargo growth outpacing global goods trade, which increased by 6.5% over the previous month. While the global manufacturing PMI rose to 50.5 in April, signalling expansion for the fourth consecutive month, the PMI for new export orders fell to 47.2, remaining below the growth threshold.
