• Africa posts the world’s strongest October air cargo growth at 16.6%.
• Global volumes rise for an eighth month, supported by higher trade and output.
• IATA says shifting trade routes show supply chains are adapting to U.S. tariffs.

Africa recorded the fastest growth in air cargo volumes in October, with traffic rising 16.6% year on year, the highest rate among all regions, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Capacity also increased by 20.0%. Traffic was boosted in part by a 10.9% rise in flows on the Africa-Asia route.

Other regions posted more modest gains, including Asia-Pacific carriers (+8.3%), the Middle East (+5.7%), and Europe (+4.3%). Growth was marginal in North America and Latin America, where each region saw a 2.7% increase.

Overall, global data show a 4.1% rise, marking the eighth consecutive month of expansion. International shipments grew 4.8%, and available cargo capacity increased 5.1% compared with October. The momentum was supported by global goods trade growth of 3% and a 3.7% increase in global industrial production.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said the shifting pattern of trade highlighted the adaptability of global supply chains. He noted that while the Asia–North America corridor has been contracting for six months, October posted double-digit or near double-digit growth in Asia, between the Middle East and Europe, and between Europe and Asia. This, he said, shows that air cargo is helping supply chains adjust to the impact of U.S. tariffs, a positive development as the sector enters the fourth-quarter peak season.

If the trend continues, it could allow the industry to meet IATA’s full-year forecast of 5.8% global traffic growth. In 2024, global cargo traffic rose 11.3%, including an 8.5% increase for African carriers.

Henoc Dossa