Africa’s Air Cargo Demand Rises 3% Despite 14% Capacity Surge – IATA

Africa’s air cargo market recorded a 3.0 per cent year-on-year increase in demand in August 2026, but the growth was accompanied by a much sharper 14.0 per cent expansion in cargo capacity, according to the latest data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The performance placed African airlines among the regions that recorded growth during the month, although Africa’s demand expansion remained below the global average of 4.4 per cent.

IATA’s August 2026 global air cargo market report showed that worldwide demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 4.4 per cent compared with August 2025, while international demand grew by 5.3 per cent.

Global capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), meanwhile, declined marginally by 0.1 per cent year-on-year, although international capacity increased by 0.1 per cent.

For Africa, the 3.0 per cent increase in demand came alongside a 14.0 per cent rise in capacity, the largest capacity expansion among all the regions tracked by IATA.

The sharp increase in available capacity was reflected in the continent’s cargo load factor, which fell by 3.9 percentage points to 36.5 per cent.

Africa also accounted for 2.1 per cent of global industry cargo tonne-kilometres in 2025, according to IATA.

The figures indicate that while African carriers succeeded in generating additional cargo traffic in August, capacity growth substantially outpaced demand, leaving a larger proportion of available cargo space unfilled.

The African market’s demand growth was below that recorded in North America, where carriers posted a 6.6 per cent increase, Latin America and the Caribbean, which recorded 5.1 per cent growth, Asia-Pacific at 4.3 per cent and Europe at 4.1 per cent.

The Middle East recorded the weakest regional demand growth at 1.0 per cent.

Despite Africa’s 3.0 per cent growth, the continent faced a significant contraction on one of its major international trade lanes.

IATA said the Africa-Asia air cargo trade lane declined by 11.9 per cent year-on-year in August, marking the third consecutive month of contraction. The corridor accounted for 1.3 per cent of global industry air cargo demand.

The decline contrasts with stronger performances on several other major global trade routes. Asia-North America recorded a 13.2 per cent increase and has now registered seven consecutive months of growth, while intra-Asia traffic expanded by 6.1 per cent, extending its growth streak to 34 consecutive months.

Europe-Asia increased by 3.1 per cent and has recorded growth for 42 consecutive months, while Europe-North America expanded by 4.3 per cent, marking its fourth consecutive month of growth.

The weakness on Africa-Asia trade flows was part of a broader divergence in air cargo performance across major trade lanes in August. IATA said Gulf-linked corridors continued to experience disruption because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Europe-Middle East cargo traffic fell by 12.1 per cent, representing six consecutive months of contraction, while Middle East-Asia declined by 11.0 per cent, also recording six consecutive months of contraction.

Against this backdrop, IATA said the overall global air cargo market continued to benefit from improving trade and manufacturing indicators.

Global goods trade increased by 6.0 per cent year-on-year in July, extending the run of consecutive monthly expansions to 33 months.

Manufacturing activity also strengthened in August. The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index rose by 0.3 points to 53.0, while the New Export Orders Index increased by 1.4 points to 51.4. IATA said both indicators remained supportive of air cargo demand.

However, airlines continued to face significant fuel-cost pressures. Jet fuel prices rose by 8.3 per cent month-on-month in August and were 79.2 per cent higher than a year earlier.

IATA Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen, said the increase in cargo demand, coupled with higher load factors in several markets, was helping airlines offset some of the pressure created by elevated fuel costs.

“Air cargo demand rose 4.4 per cent year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1 per cent,” she said.

According to Thomsen, stronger demand and improved load factors had enabled airlines to recover some of the exceptionally high fuel costs, while cargo yields also increased month-on-month for the first time since April.

“Global goods trade growth continues. Both are positive signs as the year-end peak season comes into view,” she added.

The regional figures, however, show a mixed operating environment for airlines.

North American carriers recorded the strongest growth in demand at 6.6 per cent despite cutting capacity by 2.5 per cent. Their cargo load factor consequently rose by 3.6 percentage points to 42.0 per cent.

Latin American and Caribbean airlines recorded 5.1 per cent demand growth against a 3.3 per cent capacity increase, while their load factor increased by 0.6 percentage points to 34.9 per cent.

Asia-Pacific carriers recorded 4.3 per cent demand growth, with capacity increasing by 1.2 per cent. Their load factor rose by 1.5 percentage points to 48.6 per cent.

European airlines recorded 4.1 per cent demand growth while reducing capacity by 3.5 per cent. Their load factor increased by 3.9 percentage points to 53.0 per cent, the highest among the regions in August.

Middle Eastern carriers recorded only 1.0 per cent growth in demand while increasing capacity by 3.3 per cent. Their load factor consequently declined by one percentage point to 43.1 per cent.

For Africa, the combination of modest demand growth and rapid capacity expansion produced the largest deterioration in load factor among the regions, with a 3.9 percentage-point decline to 36.5 per cent.

The August figures come as airlines and cargo operators prepare for the year-end peak season, traditionally an important period for global air freight as businesses increase shipments ahead of major retail and consumer demand cycles.

For African carriers, the data highlight the challenge of translating increased cargo capacity into corresponding demand growth, particularly as trade flows involving Asia remain under pressure.

While Africa’s overall air cargo demand remained in positive territory, its 3.0 per cent growth was significantly below the continent’s 14.0 per cent capacity expansion, underscoring the need for stronger cargo volumes and trade connectivity to absorb the additional capacity deployed in the market.