The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2026 global air cargo markets showing: 

Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 8.5% compared to June 2025 (9.6% for international operations).

Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 4.4% compared to June 2025 (4.9% for international operations). 

Global trade increased by 5.2% year-on-year. 

Jet fuel prices fell by 20% month-on-month in June but remained 45.8% above year-earlier levels.

Global manufacturing activity eased slightly in June but remained supportive, while export orders weakened. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell 0.5 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index remained below the 50-mark for a fourth consecutive month at 49.4. This suggests that air cargo growth was driven by specific trade flows rather than a broad-based increase in global exports.

Trade Lane Growth

Air cargo performance diverged across major trade lanes in June. Asia–North America recorded the strongest growth, followed by Within Asia, Europe–Asia, and Africa–Asia. In contrast, Gulf-linked corridors remained disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East.