IATA Director General Willie Walsh has stated that seasonal factors, including shipments ahead of Lunar New Year, contributed to the boost in air cargo. “Even considering the boost that February received from the movement of goods ahead of Lunar New Year, the month showed strong growth. The outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of the month, however, makes it difficult to see how full-year performance will unfold,” he said.
Global air cargo markets posted a strong performance in February 2026, with total demand rising 11.2 percent year-on-year, according to the latest figures. International operations led the growth, up 11.6 percent, while available capacity increased by 8.5 percent globally and 9.8 percent for international routes.
While cargo markets were buoyant, global air traffic faced major disruption in a strategic Middle Eastern hub. Last year, the region handled over 67 million connecting passengers and acts as a vital bridge for Asia Pacific traffic, particularly to Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
Following the outbreak of conflict on 28 February, airlines rapidly cancelled flights in and out of the region. Within ten days, 73 percent of available seat-kilometres (ASK) had been grounded, creating severe connectivity disruptions across major international routes.
Analysts believe that the dual pressures of strong cargo demand and volatile geopolitical conditions could shape an unpredictable outlook for global air transport in the coming future.
