The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released global air cargo market data for February 2026 showing that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose by 11.2% compared to February 2025 levels (+11.6% for international operations).

IATA also shared that capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 8.5% compared to February 2025 (+9.8% for international operations).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said: “Even considering the boost that February received from the movement of goods ahead of Lunar New Year, the month showed strong growth. The outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of the month, however, makes it difficult to see how full-year performance will unfold.

“Sharply rising fuel costs, fuel scarcity in parts of the world, and the severe disruption to key cargo hubs in the Gulf are major shifts. While air cargo has repeatedly proven its resilience in the face of disruption, an early resolution of the war along with a normalisation of fuel supply and costs would be in everybody’s interest.”

When looking at regional performances for February 2026, IATA reports that African airlines saw a 21.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February, the strongest rise of all regions. Capacity African airlines increased by 17.3% year-on-year.

In contrast, Latin American and Caribbean carriers saw a 0.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February, the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity for the region increased by 4.5% year-on-year.

Elsewhere for year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in February, Asia-Pacific airlines recorded 13.6% increase, North American carriers recorded 9.4% increase, European carriers saw a 6.9% increase, and Middle Eastern carriers saw a 16.5% increase.

IATA also reported that for trade lane growth, air freight volumes in February 2026 increased across all major trade corridors.

You can read the latest Air Cargo Market Analysis from IATA in full here.

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