The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a 5.8 per cent increase in global air cargo demand for April 2025 compared to the same period last year, marking another month of strong performance in the freight segment of the aviation industry.
In its latest report published on the association’s website, IATA noted that international air cargo operations rose by 6.5 per cent year-on-year, while global cargo capacity increased by 6.3 per cent overall and 6.9 per cent for international routes.
“Air cargo demand grew strongly in April, with volumes up 5.8 per cent year-on-year, building on March’s solid performance,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh.
He explained that a combination of factors — including increased seasonal shipments of fashion and consumer goods, as well as anticipation of new US tariffs — led shippers to front-load cargo volumes, boosting demand during the period.
Walsh also pointed to the impact of lower jet fuel prices, which have helped to reduce operational costs for cargo carriers, making air freight more economically viable during the month under review.
“With available capacity at record levels and yields improving, the outlook for air cargo is encouraging,” he added.
Despite the positive trend, the IATA boss issued a note of caution over persistent global trade tensions. Walsh said that geopolitical developments, particularly trade policy shifts in major economies like the United States, are shaping air cargo demand and influencing how trade flows around the world.
“While April brought good news, stresses in world trade are no secret. Shifts in trade policy, particularly in the US, are already reshaping demand and export dynamics,” he said. “Airlines will need to remain flexible as the situation develops over the coming months.”
The April performance marks the latest in a series of monthly rebounds for the global air cargo industry, which had previously been weighed down by high inflation, soft consumer demand, and pandemic-era supply chain disruptions.
With global economies stabilising and demand patterns adapting to shifting trade policies, air freight has begun to regain momentum, especially in sectors like e-commerce, consumer electronics, and textiles. IATA’s report suggests that cargo carriers are starting to benefit from improved yield margins due to the tight alignment between demand and available capacity.
However, trade tensions — particularly between the United States and China — and the potential for rising tariffs in key export categories may yet temper further growth if not managed carefully.
Industry experts also warn that macroeconomic headwinds such as inflation, currency volatility, and interest rate adjustments in emerging markets could influence freight volumes over the second half of the year.
Still, the overall outlook remains positive, particularly for airlines that have diversified their cargo strategies or operate across multiple global trade corridors. Many carriers have continued to invest in cargo-dedicated fleets and are leveraging technology to optimise supply chain visibility and cost control.
