Air freight demand decreased by 4.8% in March due to disruptions in the Middle East.

In March 2026, global air cargo demand fell by 4.8% year-on-year due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, seasonal issues, and rising costs. International cargo traffic saw a sharper decline of 5.5%, mainly affecting cross-border freight. The Middle East experienced a significant 54.3% drop in cargo tonne-kilometres, disrupting hub connectivity. While Africa recorded a growth of 7%, other regions showed mixed results, with dedicated freighters performing better than passenger belly cargo. Despite a decline in capacity, global cargo load factors remained stable at 47.9%, influenced by soaring fuel prices and underlying resilience in manufacturing activity.