African Airlines Defy Capacity Squeeze as Cargo Demand Rises 4.7pc

July 30, 2026 in Business, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

African airlines recorded a 4.7pc rise in air cargo demand in June despite a 7.1pc decline in cargo capacity, signalling resilient trade flows and improved aircraft utilisation even as global freight markets continue to expand.

 

African airlines posted stronger air cargo demand in June despite operating with less available freight capacity, underscoring the resilience of the continent’s trade flows even as global supply chains remain under pressure.

New data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that demand for air freight on African carriers rose 4.7pc year-on-year in June, while cargo capacity contracted by 7.1pc, pushing average cargo load factors to 48.1pc—higher than the global average of 46.9pc.

The figures suggest African airlines are making more efficient use of limited cargo space, even though the continent accounts for just 2.1pc of global air cargo traffic.

Globally, air cargo demand expanded by 8.5pc, outpacing a 4.4pc increase in capacity, as demand for high-value technology products and time-sensitive shipments continued to support the market. North American airlines led worldwide growth with a 13.1pc increase in demand. Europe recorded 6.9pc, Asia-Pacific 7.9pc, while Latin America and the Caribbean posted the weakest performance at 3.5pc. The Middle East grew 5.6pc, although IATA cautioned that the comparison was against a weak period last year caused by regional conflict.

“The global air cargo market continued to demonstrate resilience, with demand growing faster than capacity,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

He noted that while the outlook for the second half of 2026 remained positive, the industry continued to face risks from renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of fresh US tariff measures.

For Africa, the data paints a mixed picture. Although demand remains on an upward trajectory, shrinking cargo capacity could limit airlines’ ability to fully capitalise on growing trade opportunities unless additional freighter capacity and belly cargo space become available.

The continent nevertheless outperformed on utilisation, with its 48.1pc cargo load factor exceeding the global average, indicating that available cargo space is being filled more effectively than in many other regions.

Trade routes also reflected changing global commerce patterns. The Africa–Asia corridor extended its growth streak to 12 consecutive months, recording a modest 0.9pc increase in June. However, IATA said Gulf-linked trade lanes continued to experience disruptions arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

The strongest-performing trade route globally was Asia–North America, where cargo volumes jumped 14.7pc, followed by Europe–Asia at 7.1pc and Within Asia at 7.2pc.

IATA said global trade expanded by 5.2pc during the month, while manufacturing activity remained supportive despite weaker export orders, suggesting that cargo growth was being driven by specific high-value and time-critical shipments rather than broad-based expansion in world trade.