African airlines recorded a 4.7 per cent year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in June 2026, even as available cargo capacity on the continent declined by 7.1 per cent, latest data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said.

 

This performance came amid sustained global recovery in the air freight market, with worldwide cargo demand rising by 8.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, while capacity expanded by 4.4 per cent.

 

IATA’s June 2026 Air Cargo Market report showed that international cargo operations recorded a 9.6 per cent increase in demand and a 4.9 per cent rise in capacity.

 

Commenting on the figures, IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, said the global cargo market remained resilient despite geopolitical and trade uncertainties.

 

According to him, demand growth exceeded capacity expansion globally and across nearly all regions, reflecting strong market fundamentals.

 

He said: “Air cargo demand grew 8.5 per cent year-on-year in June. While North America was the strongest contributor to growth, 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 the Middle East and a renewed focus on tariffs by the US among them.”

 

Globally, North American airlines led all regions with a 13.1 per cent increase in cargo demand, followed by Asia-Pacific carriers at 7.9 per cent, Europe at 6.9 per cent, the Middle East at 5.6 per cent, Africa at 4.7 per cent, and Latin America and the Caribbean at 3.5 per cent.

 

Despite Africa’s relatively modest demand growth, the continent was the only region to record a decline in cargo capacity, suggesting tighter market conditions for operators.

 

IATA also reported that global trade expanded by 5.2 per cent year-on-year during the month, while lower jet fuel prices helped reduce operating costs. Jet fuel prices declined by 20 per cent from May levels, although they remained 45.8 per cent higher than in June 2025.

 

The association noted that global manufacturing activity softened slightly during the month but continued to support cargo demand.

 

The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped by 0.5 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index remained below the neutral 50-point mark for the fourth consecutive month at 49.4.

 

According to IATA, the divergence suggests that recent air cargo growth was driven more by specific high-value trade flows, including technology products and time-sensitive shipments, than by broad-based growth in global exports.

 

On major trade routes, Asia-North America recorded the strongest cargo growth in June, followed by intra-Asia services, Europe-Asia, and Africa-Asia trade lanes.

 

However, cargo movements linked to the Gulf region continued to experience disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.