Market · 2026Oct 2026Source: IATA
Air cargo demand grew every month of 2026 so far
+11.2%February, world
+21.0%February, Africa
+7.7%September, world
IATA's monthly figures show demand (CTK) up year on year in every month reported. In August, demand rose 4.4% while capacity slipped 0.1%, so space got tighter. Flows through Middle East hubs contracted for several months because of network disruption.
When space is tight, the cargo you choose to load matters more. That is the job of Optimize revenue.
Read IATA's market analysis →
Forecast · toward 2045Oct 2025Source: Airbus
45% more freighters by 2044
3.3%cargo growth a year
3,420freighters in 2044
2,605new or converted
Airbus expects air cargo to grow faster than world trade, at 3.3% a year against 2.7%. It sees the freighter fleet growing 45%, with 1,670 passenger-to-freighter conversions and 935 new-build freighters. Asia-Pacific and North America take nearly two-thirds of the demand.
More freighters mean more main-deck pallets to build well. Build your cargo virtually handles PMC and Q6 contours today.
Read the Airbus forecast →
Forecast · 20 yearsNov 2024Source: Boeing
Air cargo traffic set to double by 2043
4%growth a year
3,900freighters by 2043
25%express share
Boeing's World Air Cargo Forecast sees traffic growing about 4% a year, doubling over 20 years. The freighter fleet grows from 2,340 in 2023 to about 3,900, and express carriers rise from 18% to a quarter of the market. Emerging markets lead the growth.
Double the cargo with the same ramp teams means every build has to be right the first time.
Read Boeing's forecast →
Market · June 202629 Jul 2026Source: IATA
Air cargo demand strengthened in June, up 8.5%
+8.5%June demand, world
−4.1%Middle East–Asia
June was one of the strongest months of the year for air cargo demand. Middle East–Asia traffic was the exception, shrinking for a fourth month in a row as disruption kept flows away from major Gulf hubs.
When routes shift, open capacity appears on other flights. Bid your space turns it into revenue before departure.
Read IATA's release →
Event9–11 Mar 2027Calgary, Canada
IATA World Cargo Symposium 2027 comes to Calgary
9–11March 2027
CalgaryTELUS Convention Centre
IATA named Calgary as the next host at the close of the 2026 symposium in Lima. WCS is the largest yearly meeting of airlines, forwarders, handlers and regulators in air cargo.
Meeting the AdeyIQ team there? Send a request above and mention WCS.
See the event on iata.org →