rki.news | Source: Anadolu
Global air cargo demand continued to strengthen in May, rising 6% compared with the same month last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International cargo traffic increased by 6.5%, while global cargo capacity expanded by 1.9%, reflecting steady growth in worldwide freight activity.
IATA said the strongest regional performance came from Africa, where cargo demand surged 13.3%. North American airlines recorded a 10.5% increase, followed by Asia-Pacific with 8% growth and Europe with a 6.7% rise. Latin America and the Caribbean also reported modest growth of 1.9%.
In contrast, Middle Eastern airlines experienced the weakest regional performance, with cargo demand falling 8.9% and capacity declining 9.2%. IATA attributed the downturn to continued disruptions caused by regional conflict, which also affected key trade corridors linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Despite these challenges, IATA expressed cautious optimism for the remainder of the year. Global trade has expanded for 25 consecutive months, supported by stronger manufacturing activity and airlines adapting to changing market conditions. Major trade routes between Asia and North America, Africa and Asia, and Europe recorded healthy growth, highlighting resilient demand even as some regional markets remained under pressure.