International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its February 2026 report, showing that demand within the international air cargo sector increased by 11.2 percent compared to February of 2025. Air cargo capacity also underwent an increase of 8.5 percent in the month of February 2026.
Demand by Region
Every region’s air cargo demand experienced significant growth when compared to the same period in 2025. African airlines experienced the biggest boom in demand, with an increase of 21 percent (with capacity increasing by 17.3 percent year-on-year). This is followed by airlines in the Middle East, who experienced a 16.5 percent year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in February. Capacity increased by 13.5 percent year-on-year. Below is the increase in demand and capacity of air cargo for all regions in February 2026:
- Africa: increased demand of 21.0 percent, increased capacity of 17.3 percent year-on-year;
- Middle East: increased demand of 16.5 percent, increased capacity of 13.5 percent year-on-year;
- Asia Pacific: increased demand of 13.6 percent, increased capacity of 10.1 percent year-on-year;
- North America: increased demand of 9.4 percent, increased capacity of 5.3 percent year-on-year;
- Europe: increased demand of 6.9 percent, increased capacity of 6.1 percent year-on-year;
- Latin America and Caribbean: increased demand of 0.7 percent, increased capacity of 4.5 percent year-on-year.
Response to the Report
Willie Walsh, the IATA Director General, had the following to say regarding the report:
“Air cargo demand grew 11.2% in February. 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.”
The report is also keen to point out that the global goods trade grew by 5.2% year-on-year in January of 2026. Additionally, other factors such as a 1.2 percent increase in jet fuel prices and a strengthening of global manufacturing sentiment have also influenced these figures.
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