• African airlines increased air cargo volumes by 6.0% in 2025, beating global growth.

• December traffic rose 10.1%, the fastest increase among all regions worldwide.

• IATA expects global air cargo growth to slow to 2.4% in 2026.

African carriers increased air cargo volumes by 6.0% in 2025 compared with 2024, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association. Airlines expanded capacity by 7.8%, and traffic rose 10.1% year on year in December, a peak month due to year-end holidays, marking the strongest regional increase worldwide.

Across other regions, Asia-Pacific recorded an 8.4% rise in air cargo volumes, the strongest annual growth globally. Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and the Middle East followed, with volume increases of 2.9%, 2.3%, 1.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. At the global level, air cargo volumes grew 3.4% compared with 2024, while annual capacity increased 3.7%. December data showed a global traffic increase of 4.3%.

According to IATA, strong e-commerce demand continued to drive global momentum. However, data showed a clear shift in air cargo flows away from the Asia–North America route toward the Asia–Europe corridor. IATA attributed the shift to tariff pressures and to the removal of the U.S. de minimis exemption. In parallel, intra-Asian routes and Middle East–Asia corridors recorded strong growth.

“The strength of global e-commerce stimulated volumes despite higher tariffs, the removal of de minimis exemptions, and persistent political uncertainty that weighed on trade relations with the United States,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Air cargo rose to the challenge. It adapted quickly to support businesses and global supply chains, which brought forward shipments ahead of tariff implementation and adjusted to growing demand in Asia and between Asia and Europe, against a backdrop of stagnating trade between the United States and Asia.”

For 2026, IATA forecast a slight slowdown in growth to 2.4%. The association said evolving e-commerce patterns and geopolitical developments would continue to influence market dynamics.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM