What Happened
Freighters Capture Larger Share Amid Strong Trade Growth
Global air cargo demand strengthened in July 2026, with a 3.9% increase in cargo tonne-kilometres compared to the same period last year. International operations recorded stronger growth of 4.7%, while freighters gained market share as belly capacity declined. The global cargo load factor reached 46%, one percentage point higher than a year earlier. According to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), this growth was driven by expanding trade, new export orders, and steady manufacturing activity. This was first reported by an unknown source.