en.Wedoany.com Reported - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its global air cargo market report for February 2026. The data shows that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), increased by 11.2% compared to the same period in 2025, with international operations demand growing by 11.6%. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), grew by 8.5% year-on-year, with international capacity increasing by 9.8%.

Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, said: "Air cargo demand grew by 11.2% in February. Even considering the boost from cargo shipments ahead of the Lunar New Year, the month still showed strong growth. However, the outbreak of war in the Middle East towards the end of the month makes the full-year performance difficult to predict. The sharp rise in fuel costs, fuel shortages in some parts of the world, and severe disruptions at key cargo hubs in the Gulf region are all significant changes. While air cargo has repeatedly proven its resilience in the face of disruptions, it is in everyone's interest to see the war end as soon as possible, alongside a normalization of fuel supply and costs."

Regarding the operating environment, global goods trade grew by 5.2% year-on-year in January. Jet fuel prices increased by 1.2% year-on-year in February, and the Brent-jet fuel crack spread widened, reflecting continued volatility in refinery margins. Global manufacturing sentiment strengthened in February, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 53.1, remaining above the expansion threshold. The New Export Orders PMI rose to 51.4, its highest level since July 2021, indicating a positive state for air cargo demand.

Looking at regions, Asia-Pacific airlines saw cargo demand increase by 13.6% year-on-year in February, with capacity growing by 10.1%. North American airlines' demand grew by 9.4%, with capacity up 5.3%. European airlines' demand increased by 6.9%, with capacity rising 6.1%. Middle East airlines' demand grew by 16.5%, with capacity up 13.5%. Latin America and Caribbean airlines' demand grew by 0.7%, the weakest among all regions, with capacity increasing by 4.5%. African airlines' demand grew by 21.0%, the strongest among all regions, with capacity up 17.3%. In February 2026, air cargo volumes increased across all major trade corridors.

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