Global air cargo markets finished November 2025 with stronger demand, rising 5.5 % year‑on‑year, as shippers raced to meet year‑end delivery deadlines and maintain supply‑chain fluidity during peak‑season activity. The latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that this growth occurred even amid uneven regional performance and ongoing economic headwinds.
Total air freight demand — measured in cargo tonne‑kilometers (CTK) — expanded 5.5 % compared with November 2024, with international CTK up about 6.9 % as global trade flows intensified in the final months of the year. Meanwhile, overall cargo capacity also grew, increasing roughly 4.7 % year‑on‑year, helping accommodate rising volumes without excessive pressure on space availability.
The demand bump largely reflects shippers prioritising timely transport ahead of the holiday season, where speed and reliability can take precedence over cost. Analysts say this trend often drives up air freight volumes in late Q4 as companies balance inventory positions and respond to consumer demand surges, even in a broader economic environment where growth is mixed.
Regionally, performance varied:
- Africa posted the fastest growth, with demand up more than 15 %, indicating expanding participation in global air logistics.
- Asia‑Pacific carriers saw double‑digit gains, driven by intra‑regional trade and e‑commerce activity, while Middle Eastern airlines recorded solid increases supported by hub‑and‑spoke networks.
- Europe also grew, buoyed by strong links with Asia and North America, though some markets such as Latin America and North America experienced weaker volumes overall.
Capacity expansions and strategic routing adjustments helped preserve a cargo load factor of around 49 %, modestly above last year’s level, highlighting continued resilience in air freight even as fuel prices and tariff uncertainties influence operational dynamics.
For logistics planners and air freight operators, the November uptick suggests that air cargo demand remains an important component of global supply chains heading into 2026, particularly for time‑critical shipments and fast‑moving consumer goods during peak trading periods.
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