Global air cargo demand returned to growth in April 2026, with worldwide cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK) up about 4.0% year on year, according to the latest market statistics. The rebound comes after a 4.8% decline in March, when operations were heavily disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East and rerouting of flights around Gulf hubs.
The April performance confirms the underlying resilience of air cargo demand in a context of geopolitical tension and elevated fuel costs. In March 2026, global capacity measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK) fell by 4.7% compared with March 2025, while Middle East carriers saw demand collapse by 54.3% and capacity by 52.4% as key Gulf hubs were hit by airspace restrictions and network disruptions.
The April figures follow a sequence of sharp monthly swings. In February 2026, worldwide air cargo demand grew by around 11.2% year on year, supported by Lunar New Year flows and a generally positive trade backdrop. The sudden downturn in March was attributed mainly to operational disruptions in the Gulf and the timing of the post–Lunar New Year slowdown.
The April 4.0% growth suggests that, while reroutings and longer flight times continue to weigh on networks, air cargo remains supported by solid macroeconomic fundamentals, including upwardly revised forecasts for global trade and GDP in 2026.