Kuala lumpur: Total demand for global air cargo, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, increased by 8.5 per cent in June 2026 compared to June 2025 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International operations saw a 9.6 per cent increase.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres, increased by 4.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), with international capacity growing by 4.9 per cent. IATA director-general Willie Walsh noted that air cargo demand grew 8.5 per cent y-o-y in June, with North America being the strongest contributor to the growth, while demand in all regions was in positive territory compared to last year.

"Demand growth outpaced capacity at the global level and in all regions except Latin America and the Caribbean. Demand also grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value technology products and urgent shipments. While this all gives strong reasons for optimism in the second half of 2026, risks remain-continuing hostilities in West Asia and a renewed focus on tariffs by the United States among them," Walsh stated.

Meanwhile, IATA reported that Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 7.9 per cent y-o-y increase in air cargo demand, with capacity rising by 4.3 per cent. North American carriers posted a higher air cargo demand of 13.1 per cent y-o-y, with capacity increasing by 6.2 per cent.

European carriers experienced a 6.9 per cent rise in demand for air cargo alongside a 3.7 per cent y-o-y increase in capacity. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 5.6 per cent y-o-y increase in demand for air cargo in June, with capacity increasing by 2.5 per cent y-o-y. "While the results for the month were in growth territory, they are skewed to the positive as the comparison is to June 2025, which was particularly weak for carriers in West Asia as a result of disruptions due to military conflict," IATA added.

Latin American and Caribbean carriers recorded the weakest air cargo demand growth among all regions, with demand rising 3.5 per cent y-o-y and capacity increasing 9.8 per cent. African airlines posted a 4.7 per cent increase in demand despite a 7.1 per cent y-o-y decline in capacity.

IATA also noted that global trade increased by 5.2 per cent y-o-y. Jet fuel prices fell by 20 per cent month-on-month in June but remained 45.8 per cent above year-earlier levels. It added that global manufacturing activity eased slightly in June but remained supportive, while export orders weakened.

The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell 0.5 points to 53. The New Export Orders Index remained below the 50-mark for a fourth consecutive month at 49.4, indicating that air cargo growth was driven by specific trade flows rather than a broad-based rise in global exports.