The Air Cargo Market in 2026: Rising Demand, Constraints, and Practical Takeaways

Air cargo continues to be one of the most sensitive segments of international logistics. It is the first to react to fluctuations in demand, seasonal peaks, supply chain disruptions, and changes in global trade. Statistics from late 2025 confirm this: the air cargo market is showing steady growth, but capacity constraints and price pressures are intensifying.

For companies using air delivery to manage timelines and risks, understanding these trends is critical for planning shipments in 2026.

Dynamics of Demand for International Air Cargo

According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global demand for air cargo in November 2025 increased by 5.5% compared to the previous year, with the international segment showing growth of almost 7%. Meanwhile, the volume of available cargo capacity grew by only 4.7%.

This indicates that demand is growing faster than supply – which directly impacts rates, space availability, and booking lead times.

It is important to emphasize that the demand increase is sustained. Throughout 2025, the air cargo market demonstrated stable growth, particularly during periods of seasonal demand increase and ahead of peak trading cycles.

Regional Differences in Air Cargo Demand

Demand for air freight is distributed unevenly across regions, creating additional logistical challenges:

• Asia-Pacific region – demand growth exceeded 10% in November 2025, reflecting a revival in industrial production and export traffic.

• Africa – airlines recorded one of the highest demand growth rates (about 15.6%), while available capacity increased by more than 18%.

• Europe and the Middle East – moderate growth supported by stable trade flows.

• North and Latin America – experienced a slight decline or stagnation in demand, linked to route adjustments and pricing policies.

These differences show that the demand structure is shaped not only by global macroeconomic factors but also by the specifics of regional trade and logistics markets.

Comparison with 2024: Sustained Growth

The market growth in 2025 is not an isolated spike. Previous IATA reports recorded a multi-month increase in air cargo demand, including steady volume growth by the end of 2024.

In October 2025, demand increased by 4.1% compared to October 2024, and the growth in available capacity helped maintain a balance between supply and demand even during peak periods.

What This Means for Your Shipments

The increasing demand for air cargo directly impacts how to plan air delivery. Without professional management, each of these challenges can cause delays, increased costs, or missed deadlines.

1. Air freight no longer works "at the last minute"
   Urgent solutions are becoming expensive or unavailable.

2. Rates increasingly depend on timing
   Closer to the flight date, the risk of rate increases or a lack of confirmed space is higher.

3. A single route is a risk
   Reliance on a single airport or airline increases the likelihood of schedule disruptions.

4. Managing the supply is more important than the transport itself
   Controlling timelines, alternatives, rates, and available space becomes a management task, not just simple flight booking.

Practical Recommendations for Working with Air Freight

Considering current market conditions, logistics experts advise:

• beginning evaluation of an air freight option at least 4–6 weeks before the planned shipment date;

• securing rates and volumes in advance for regular shipments;

• considering multimodal delivery schemes to optimize costs;

• factoring in seasonal peaks and planning buffer time;

• working with a forwarder who has access to multiple airlines and routes.

Companies that apply these recommendations maintain control over timelines and budget even amidst growing demand and limited space.