Kuala lumpur: Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 4.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in August 2025, compared with August 2024 levels (+5.1 per cent for international operations), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), grew 3.7 per cent compared with August 2024 levels (+5.5% for international operations).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, IATA director general Willie Walsh stated that air cargo demand in August 2025 marked the sixth consecutive month of y-o-y growth. He highlighted that volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefited from a shift from sea for some high-value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes. Growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fuelling stronger growth for the Europe-Asia, Within Asia, Africa-Asia, and Middle East-Asia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of the United States (US) tariff policy.

On regional performance in August 2025, the global trade body reported that Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 9.8 per cent y-o-y growth in air cargo demand, while capacity increased by 6.9 per cent. In contrast, North American carriers saw a 2.1 per cent y-o-y decline in demand, the weakest performance among all regions, with capacity also contracting by 1.0 per cent. European carriers posted a 3.2 per cent y-o-y increase in demand, with capacity rising by 4.2 per cent.

IATA noted that freight volumes on major trade lanes also showed significant gains in August 2025. Europe-Asia and within Asia recorded robust double-digit growth, while Middle East-Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable increases. In contrast, Asia-North America, Middle East-Europe, and within Europe registered declines.