African airlines led global air cargo growth in March 2026, posting a 7.0% year-on-year increase in demand even as worldwide cargo demand fell by 4.8%.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Air Cargo Market Analysis Monthly Report for March 2026, Africa emerged as the fastest-growing air freight region during a period marked by widespread operational and geopolitical disruptions.
The performance highlights the continent’s strengthening role in global logistics, particularly through expanding trade routes with Asia.
What the report is saying
African airlines recorded the strongest cargo demand growth globally in March, despite a 4.6% decline in cargo capacity. This indicates that African carriers were able to maximize tighter freight space while maintaining strong route performance and improving trade efficiency.
- “African airlines saw a 7.0% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in March, the strongest rise of all regions.”
- “Capacity decreased by 4.6% year-on-year.”
- Africa-Asia was the fastest-growing major international trade lane in March, underlining Africa’s increasing strategic relevance in global supply chains.
- In terms of global market structure, Africa still accounted for the smallest share of total air cargo activity despite its strong growth momentum.
Asia Pacific dominated the market with 36.0% share, followed by North America at 24.5% and Europe at 21.3%. The Middle East accounted for 13.2%, while Latin America and the Caribbean held 2.9%.
Africa, at 2.1%, remained the least dominant region by volume, even though it posted the strongest growth rate globally.
More insights
Globally, the air cargo market faced broader challenges, with total demand declining by 4.8%, international cargo demand down 5.5%, and total capacity contracting by 4.7%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh attributed the global slowdown primarily to war-related disruptions affecting major Gulf cargo hubs, compounded by the usual post-Lunar New Year slowdown. However, he emphasized that underlying market conditions remained relatively strong.
- Global industrial production grew by 3.1% year-on-year in February 2026.
- Global goods trade expanded by 8.0% during the same period.
- Manufacturing PMI stood at 51.4, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing activity.
- Jet fuel prices surged by 106.6% year-on-year, significantly increasing airline operating costs.
These factors suggest that while external shocks pressured the market, broader economic indicators still support future cargo demand recovery.
Regional performance beyond Africa
Africa’s growth stood in sharp contrast to other global regions, many of which posted weaker or negative results.
- Asia-Pacific airlines recorded 5.4% cargo demand growth, with capacity rising 5.0%.
- European airlines posted 2.2% demand growth and 4.2% capacity expansion.
- Latin American and Caribbean carriers recorded 1.8% growth in demand with 5.1% capacity growth.
- North American airlines saw cargo demand decline by 1.2%, while Middle Eastern carriers recorded the steepest fall, with demand plunging 54.3%.
The sharp downturn in the Middle East was driven largely by ongoing geopolitical instability, further elevating Africa’s position as a resilient global cargo hub.
What you should know
African airlines have consistently outperformed other regions in global cargo growth over recent months, reflecting sustained momentum across the sector.
- In February 2026, African cargo demand rose by 21%, supported by an exceptional surge in Africa–Asia trade lane activity, which expanded by 61.9%.
- This strong performance was preceded by an 18.2% increase in demand in January 2026, when the Africa–Asia route also recorded robust growth of 41.6%.
- The upward trend was already evident in December 2025, when demand rose by 10.1%, alongside a 9.8% increase in capacity, indicating steady network expansion by African carriers.
Earlier, in November 2025, cargo volumes expanded by 15.6%, while capacity grew even faster at 18.1%, underscoring efforts by airlines to scale up operations in response to rising demand.
