Global air cargo demand up 7.7% in September — Asia–North America +17.0%, jet fuel doubles in a year

According to September air cargo data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on October 29, global demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs) rose 7.7% year on year, and 8.6% for international operations. Capacity in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs) grew only 2.7%, lifting the load factor 2.2 percentage points to 47.9%. With demand outpacing capacity, air space has become tighter.

By trade lane, Asia–North America grew 17.0%, its eighth straight month of growth, followed by within Asia (10.2%), Europe–North America (9.3%) and Europe–Asia (6.0%). Middle East–Asia fell 10.2% and Europe–Middle East 18.0%, both in a seventh month of decline. By carrier region, demand rose 11.8% in North America, 8.6% in Asia-Pacific, 6.7% in Latin America, 4.7% in Africa, 4.5% in Europe and 3.8% in the Middle East. IATA said AI-related shipments helped drive double-digit growth across the Pacific.

The demand backdrop is solid. World trade grew 3.6% in August, its 42nd consecutive month of expansion, and the global manufacturing PMI (53.8) and new export orders index (51.9) both reached five-year highs.

The pressure point is cost. Jet fuel prices rose 17.5% month on month in September and 103.4% year on year. "The challenge is cost. Jet fuel prices have more than doubled compared with a year ago," said IATA Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen. If you plan to ship by air in the year-end peak, we recommend confirming space and fuel surcharges early. KALTSTART can help with air import and export quotes and bookings.

Source: IATA, "Air Cargo Demand Accelerates in September" (Oct 29, 2026) https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/10-29-air-cargo-demand-accelerates-september/