International Air Transport Association (IATA) has disclosed that African airlines recorded a 9.4per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in air cargo demand in July 2025, one of the strongest performances globally, according to the
Cargo capacity for the region slipped slightly by 0.1per cent compared to July 2024.
The IATA report on July 2025 global air cargo markets highlighted this growth and provided insights into regional freight trends.
“African airlines saw a 9.4per cent YoY increase in demand for air cargo in July. Capacity decreased by 0.1per cent YoY,” the IATA report read in part.
When compared with other regional markets, Asia-Pacific carriers led with 11.1per cent growth, driven by Europe–Asia routes which expanded 13.5per cent, extending their run of 29 consecutive months of gains. Regional capacity rose 7.3per cent.
European airlines recorded a 4.1per cent increase in demand with capacity up 4.0per cent, while Middle Eastern carriers grew 2.6per cent against a 5.9per cent rise in capacity. Latin America saw 2.4per cent growth, alongside a 3.8per cent increase in capacity.
North America delivered the weakest result with just 0.7per cent growth, as Asia–North America volumes fell 1.0per cent after the US ended de minimis exemptions on small e-commerce shipments. Regional capacity slipped 0.6per cent.
Globally, total demand measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK) rose 5.5% compared to July 2024, with international operations up 6.0per cent. Available cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), grew 3.9per cent, while international operations recorded a 4.5per cent increase.
The IATA report also highlighted that trade lane performance was mixed across major global corridors.
The Asia–North America route, which accounts for 24.4per cent of total industry volumes, contracted by 1.0per cent, its third consecutive monthly decline. By contrast, the Europe–Asia corridor expanded 13.5per cent, extending a 29-month growth streak and representing 20.5per cent of global freight activity.
Other routes showed resilience. Within Asia, demand rose 10.3per cent, supported by 21 straight months of expansion. The North America–Europe lane grew 9.6per cent after 18 months of continuous gains, while the Middle East–Asia corridor climbed 8.5per cent with five months of steady growth.
The Middle East–Europe route posted only 0.3per cent growth, while intra-European traffic rose 4.0per cent. Africa–Asia traffic delivered a robust 12.1per cent increase, though it represented just 1.4per cent of global volumes.
On the economic front, global goods trade grew 3.1per cent YoY in June. Average jet fuel prices were down 9.1per cent compared to July 2024, easing cost pressures for airlines. However, manufacturing activity weakened as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped to 49.66, signaling contraction amid uncertainty over US trade policies.
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