IATA: African airlines’ air cargo demand rises 4.7% as capacity falls

African airline companies’ air freight need increased by 4.7% year-on-year in September 2026, even as freight capability decreased, according to the most recent report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The figures came in the middle of a 7.7% boost in international air freight need, supported by more powerful trade and production activity and deliveries connected to expert system.

Increasing jet fuel rates continued to put pressure on airline company operating expenses.

African air freight capability decreases

The report reveals that African airline companies’ freight capability contracted by 1.2% year-on-year, contrasting with the 2.7% boost taped worldwide. International freight need increased by 8.6%, while worldwide capability increased by 3.3%.

• North American airline companies taped an 11.8% boost in freight need, while capability increased by 0.8%.
• Asia-Pacific airline companies taped need development of 8.6% and capability development of 4.9%.
• European airline companies’ freight need increased by 4.5%, while capability decreased by 1.6%.

Middle Eastern airline companies tape-recorded need development of 3.8%, compared to capability development of 7%, while Latin American and Caribbean airline companies tape-recorded boosts of 6.7% in need and 7.6% in capability.

IATA Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen stated, “Air freight need increased 7.7% year-on-year in September, with development throughout all areas. More powerful worldwide trade and production offered a helpful background, while AI-related deliveries assisted drive another month of double-digit development throughout the Pacific.”

The Asia– North America trade lane stayed the strongest-performing significant passage, followed by intra-Asia traffic, Europe– North America and Europe– Asia. Freight traffic decreased on the Europe– Middle East and Middle East– Asia passages.

Jet fuel rates more than double in September

In spite of more powerful international freight need, increasing fuel costs continued to weigh on airline company success. IATA reported that jet fuel rates increased by 17.5% month-on-month in September and were 103.4% greater than a year previously.

International trade increased by 3.6% year-on-year in August, marking 42 successive months of development. Production signs likewise enhanced throughout the duration.

• The international production Purchasing Managers’ Index increased by 0.7 indicate 53.8.
• The New Export Orders Index increased by 0.5 indicate 51.9.
• Both indications reached their greatest levels in 5 years.
• IATA stated airline company yields had actually not equaled increasing costs, contributing to press on success.

The figures indicate a helpful environment for air freight volumes, however greater fuel expenses stay a difficulty for airline companies looking for to equate need development into more powerful monetary efficiency.

African air freight patterns From February to August

African airline companies’ freight efficiency differed substantially in the months leading up to September, with need and capability recording various development rates. The figures reveal that need development was especially strong in February and May before moderating in subsequent months.

• In August, freight need increased by 3% year-on-year, while capability broadened by 14%.
• In July, need increased by 1.1%, while capability grew by 4.1%.
• In June, need increased by 4.7%, even as capability decreased by 7.1%.
• In May, need increased by 13.3%, while capability increased by 1.3%.
• In April, need grew by 7.7%, while capability fell by 9.4%. March taped 7% need development, while February saw need boost by 21%, with the Africa– Asia passage recording especially strong development of 61.9%.

The Africa– Asia passage consequently contracted by 11.9% year-on-year in August, marking its 3rd successive regular monthly decrease at that point.

Nigeria’s air cargo market and development potential customers

Nigeria’s air cargo market might take advantage of development in freight need, especially for time-sensitive deliveries, diaspora exports and business-to-business and consumer-to-consumer trade.

Aramex Nigeria Managing Director Faisal Jarmakani has actually approximated the nation’s air cargo logistics market at more than $8 billion. Lagos works as the nation’s main freight center, while Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano are likewise crucial entrances.

• Airport cargo-processing hold-ups can slow the motion of deliveries.
• High handling charges increase the expense of moving items through the air cargo system.
• Minimal innovation combination amongst regulative companies can make complex logistics and freight clearance.
• Enhanced digitisation, lower logistics expenses and much better warehousing might support higher effectiveness in the sector.

For Nigerian companies, air cargo stays crucial for products that require to reach their locations rapidly. The capability of regional operators to gain from development in worldwide air freight need will likewise depend upon the performance and expense of the domestic logistics chain.