Translations: La industria de carga aérea alcanza su máximo histórico en 2024 (pdf)
Demanda global por carga aérea apresenta crescimento recorde em 2024 (pdf)
Croissance record du trafic de fret aérien en 2024 (pdf)
Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for full year 2024 and December 2024 global air cargo market performance showing:
“Air cargo was the standout performer in 2024 with airlines moving more air cargo than ever before. Importantly, it was a year of profitable growth. Demand, up 11.3% year-on-year, was boosted by particularly strong e-commerce and various ocean shipping restrictions. This combined with airspace restrictions which limited capacity on some key long-haul routes to Asia helped to keep yields at exceptionally high levels. While average yields continued to soften from peaks in 2021-2022 they averaged 39% higher than 2019,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Looking to 2025, IATA estimates growth to moderate to 5.8%, aligned with historical performance. “Economic fundamentals point to another good year for air cargo—with oil prices on a downward trajectory and trade continuing to grow. There is no doubt, however, that the air cargo industry will be challenged to adapt to unfolding geopolitical shifts. The first week of the Trump administration demonstrated its strong interest in using tariffs as a policy tool that could bring a double whammy for air cargo—boosting inflation and deflating trade,” said Walsh.
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
| 2024 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market | 100% | 11.3% | 7.4% | 1.6% | 45.9% |
| Africa | 2.0% | 8.5% | 13.6% | -2.0% | 41.8% |
| Asia Pacific | 34.2% | 14.5% | 11.3% | 1.3% | 47.2% |
| Europe | 21.5% | 11.2% | 7.8% | 1.6% | 53.7% |
| Latin America | 2.9% | 12.6% | 7.9% | 1.5% | 36.6% |
| Middle East | 13.6% | 13.0% | 5.5% | 3.1% | 46.9% |
| North America | 25.8% | 6.6% | 3.4% | 1.2% | 40.3% |
(*1) % of industry CTKs in 2024 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level
| December 2024 (%year-on-year) | World Share *1 | CTK | ACTK | CLF (%-pt) *2 | CLF (level) *3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market | 100% | 6.1% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 47.3% |
| Africa | 2.0% | -0.9% | 1.8% | -1.1% | 41.5% |
| Asia Pacific | 34.2% | 8.4% | 6.3% | 0.9% | 49.1% |
| Europe | 21.5% | 5.1% | 3.7% | 0.8% | 56.7% |
| Latin America | 2.9% | 10.9% | 8.4% | 0.8% | 33.5% |
| Middle East | 13.6% | 3.3% | 0.2% | 1.4% | 47.3% |
| North America | 25.8% | 5.3% | 2.1% | 1.3% | 42.1% |
(*1) % of industry CTKs in 2024 (*2) Year-on-year change in load factor (*3) Load factor level
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 14.5% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in 2024, the strongest among the regions. Capacity increased by 11.3% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand increased 8.4% and capacity increased 6.3%.
North American carriers saw 6.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in 2024, the lowest of all regions. Capacity increased by 3.4% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand increased 5.3% and capacity increased 2.1%.
European carriers saw 11.2% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in 2024. Capacity increased by 7.8% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand increased 5.1% and capacity increased 3.7%.
Middle Eastern carriers saw 13% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in 2024. Capacity increased by 5.5% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand increased 3.3% and capacity increased 0.2%.
Latin American carriers saw 12.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in 2024. Capacity increased by 7.9% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand increased 10.9%, the highest of all regions and capacity increased 8.4%.
African airlines saw 8.5% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in 2024. Capacity increased by 13.6% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand decreased by -0.9%, the lowest of all regions and capacity increased 1.8%.
Trade Lane Growth: International routes experienced exceptional traffic levels for the 17th consecutive month with a 7% year-on-year increase in December. Airlines are benefiting from rising e-commerce demand in the US and Europe amid ongoing capacity limits in ocean shipping.
| Trade Lane | YoY growth | Notes | Market share of industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia-North America | +8.0% | 14 consecutive months of growth | 24.5% |
| Europe-Asia | +10.3% | 22 consecutive months of growth | 20.4% |
| Middle East-Europe | +6.1% | 17 consecutive months of growth | 5.7% |
| Middle East-Asia | +7.6% | 19 consecutive months of growth | 7.4% |
| Within Asia | +11.0% | 14 consecutive months of growth | 6.9% |
| Within Europe | +9.1% | 13 consecutive months of growth | 2.0% |
| North America-Europe | +3.4% | 11 consecutive months of growth | 13.4% |
| Africa-Asia | -4.0% | 1.4% |
*Route Area’s CTK YoY growth, along with counting streaks of growth, and market share by region. Route area represents segment data and do not reflect connection traffic. e.g. shipments from Asia to Europe and vice versa, connecting in the Middle East, correspond to two different segments: Europe-Middle East and Middle East-Asia, but not under Europe-Asia.
> View December 2024 Air Cargo Market Analysis (pdf)
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