TOTAL demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 4.4 per cent compared to March 2024 levels (+5.5 per cent for international operations), a historic peak for March, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 9.6 per cent year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity increased by 11.3 per cent year on year.
North American carriers saw a 9.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased by 6.1 per cent year on year.
European carriers saw a 4.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased 2.0 per cent year on year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 3.2 per cent year-on-year decrease in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased by 0.8 per cent year on year. It's possible the weakness in this market is due to year on year comparison with the strong growth at the start of 2024 resulting from disruption to Red Sea maritime freight.
Latin American carriers saw 5.8 per cent year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased 4.7 per cent year on year.
African airlines saw a 13.4 per cent year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in March, the slowest among the regions. Capacity increased by 10.5 per cent year on year.
Trade Lane Growth: The Europe-North America route was the busiest trade lane in March. The largest trade lane by market share, Asia-North America, also grew strongly, possibly encouraged by front-loading shipments ahead of potential increased tariffs. Europe-Middle East and Africa-Asia were the only trade lanes to decline in March.
Said IATA's director general Willie Walsh: 'The uncertainty over how much of the April 2 proposals would be implemented weighed in on trade. The lower fuel costs were a short-term positive factor for air cargo.'
Jet fuel prices dropped 17.3 per cent year-on-year, marking nine straight months of year-on-year declines.
SeaNews Turkey
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 9.6 per cent year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity increased by 11.3 per cent year on year.
North American carriers saw a 9.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased by 6.1 per cent year on year.
European carriers saw a 4.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased 2.0 per cent year on year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 3.2 per cent year-on-year decrease in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased by 0.8 per cent year on year. It's possible the weakness in this market is due to year on year comparison with the strong growth at the start of 2024 resulting from disruption to Red Sea maritime freight.
Latin American carriers saw 5.8 per cent year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased 4.7 per cent year on year.
African airlines saw a 13.4 per cent year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in March, the slowest among the regions. Capacity increased by 10.5 per cent year on year.
Trade Lane Growth: The Europe-North America route was the busiest trade lane in March. The largest trade lane by market share, Asia-North America, also grew strongly, possibly encouraged by front-loading shipments ahead of potential increased tariffs. Europe-Middle East and Africa-Asia were the only trade lanes to decline in March.
Said IATA's director general Willie Walsh: 'The uncertainty over how much of the April 2 proposals would be implemented weighed in on trade. The lower fuel costs were a short-term positive factor for air cargo.'
Jet fuel prices dropped 17.3 per cent year-on-year, marking nine straight months of year-on-year declines.
SeaNews Turkey
