IATA reports July 2026 air cargo growth and steady passenger demand

In July 2026, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 3.9 per cent year-on-year increase in global air cargo demand, with international operations growing by 4.7 per cent. Total cargo capacity rose by 1.7 per cent, resulting in a global cargo load factor of 46 per cent. IATA chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen attributed the rise primarily to activity in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, noting that dedicated freighters gained market share over belly-hold traffic due to the demand for specialized shipments.

Simultaneously, global air passenger demand saw a modest increase of 0.2 per cent year-on-year for the same period. While international demand saw a slight decline of 0.1 per cent, impacted by performance in the Middle East, domestic demand grew by 0.6 per cent. The total passenger load factor stood at 85.2 per cent, reflecting a stable peak summer travel season. Looking ahead, IATA projects a generally positive outlook supported by manufacturing and trade, though it cautions that higher fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, and tariff uncertainty remain significant risks.