IATA reports 6% global rise in air cargo demand for May 2026

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said global air cargo demand grew 6.0% in May 2026 compared with the same month in 2025, with total cargo tonnes‑kilometres up 6.5% on international routes. Capacity increased 1.9% overall and 2.8% internationally. Regional growth varied, led by the Asia‑Pacific (8.0% demand rise) and North America (10.5% demand rise), while the Middle East saw a decline.

In Brazil, LATAM Cargo improved its domestic service, delivering 90% of shipments within 48 hours between March and May 2026, up from 82% a year earlier. The carrier’s total cargo volume rose 11% year‑on‑year, driven by strong growth in general cargo and electronics. Investments in infrastructure, automation and network expansion, especially to the North and Northeast, underpinned the performance.