Global air cargo markets strengthened in October, with Middle Eastern carriers posting a 5.7 per cent year-on-year increase in demand as worldwide volumes rose to their highest level on record.
According to the latest data issued by the International Air Transport Association, capacity in the region jumped 10pc from a year earlier – the strongest expansion globally – even as geopolitical risks and airspace disruptions continued to influence routing patterns.
The gains came as global cargo demand advanced 4.1pc year on year, marking the eighth straight month of growth and pushing industry volumes to a historic high.
“The shifting growth pattern shows that air cargo is enabling global supply chains to adapt to the impact of US tariffs,” IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement, adding that October delivered near double-digit expansion on key lanes within Asia, between the Middle East and Europe, and between Europe and Asia.
The strong performance coincided with signs of improving industrial activity. Global goods trade rose 5.3pc in September, while world industrial production increased 3.7pc, the fastest pace since March 2025.
Manufacturing sentiment also strengthened, with the global purchasing managers’ index climbing for a third month to 51.45, although new export orders remained in contraction territory at 48.31.
Despite lower crude prices, jet fuel costs rose 2.5pc in October as tight diesel supplies pushed the crack spread to nearly double last year’s level, adding pressure to operating costs.
Asia-Pacific airlines posted an 8.3pc year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in October, alongside a 7.3pc rise in capacity. North American carriers saw a 2.7pc annual drop in cargo demand, the weakest performance globally alongside Latin America, despite a marginal 0.1pc uptick in capacity.
European carriers reported a 4.3pc increase in cargo demand from a year earlier, matched by an identical 4.3pc rise in capacity.
Latin American carriers also posted a 2.7pc year-on-year decline in cargo demand – tying North America for the weakest regional performance – while capacity grew 2.8pc.
African airlines delivered the strongest growth worldwide, with cargo demand surging 16.6pc year-on-year in October and capacity expanding 20pc.
Europe-Asia remained the standout corridor, expanding by 11.7 pc, while traffic between the Middle East and Asia rose 11.5 pc and Asia-Africa gained 10.9pc.
&uuid=(email))