August 2024 is the 9th consecutive month that global air freight demand has increased by double digits.

This is the latest report of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Accordingly, the total demand for global air transport increased by 11.4%, of which the total cargo transport capacity in August 2024 reached an all-time high, up 6.2% compared to the same period last year. The increase in capacity was mainly the result of increased capacity to provide cargo space on aircraft, up 10.9% compared to the same period. In terms of IATA’s 6 regions, the region with the strongest growth in total demand for air transport cargo was Asia – Pacific, with an increase of 14.6%. Next was Latin America, then Europe and the Middle East.

However, in terms of transport capacity, the region with the largest increase was Africa (11.4%), followed by Europe (9.4%). Asia-Pacific ranked third (8.6%), followed by Latin America (8%), the Middle East (4%) and North America (2.4%).

“We continue to see very good news in the air transport market,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. “The sector recorded its second consecutive month of record demand this year. Even with record capacity levels, capacity is up 11.7% year-on-year in 2023, 2% month-on-month and 46% above pre-COVID-19 levels. This strong performance is supported by slow but steady growth in global trade, booming e-commerce and ongoing capacity constraints on ocean freight.”