Global air cargo has opened 2026 on a strong note and Africa is leading the world. New data from the International Air Transport Association shows total air cargo demand rose 5.6% year-on-year in January, with African airlines posting the strongest regional growth of any continent on earth.
The Headline Numbers
Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, rose 5.6% year-on-year in January 2026, with international operations expanding faster at 7.2%. Capacity increased 3.6% globally, while international capacity rose 5.7%.
The global cargo load factor climbed 0.9 percentage points to 45.1% confirming that demand is growing faster than available capacity, a positive signal for freight pricing and airline yields.
Africa Steals the Show
African airlines recorded 18.2% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand — the strongest performance of any region globally — with capacity rising 6.5%.
The Africa–Asia corridor was even more dramatic. That route surged 41.6% compared to January 2025, marking seven consecutive months of strong growth, driven by rising shipments of electronics and industrial goods. Despite the rapid growth, Africa–Asia still accounts for just 1.3% of global air cargo underlining the enormous runway still ahead.
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Middle Eastern carriers grew 9.3%, Asia-Pacific posted 7.8%, and European airlines rose 6.9%. North American carriers were the only region to record a decline. down 0.5%, while Latin America and the Caribbean fell 2%.
Risks on the Horizon
IATA Director General Willie Walsh struck a cautionary note:
“The resilience of air cargo will continue to be tested in the coming months. In addition to long-running uncertainties around US trade policies, the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East will weigh heavy on global supply chains.”
Several positive factors supported the January performance nonetheless global goods trade grew 4.9% in December 2025, jet fuel prices fell 6.5% year-on-year, and the global Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 51.8, its highest level in over 18 months.
