African airlines record -13.4% drop in demand for air cargo in March 2025

• Slowest of all regions, says, IATA

African airlines saw a -13.4% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in March, the slowest among the regions. Capacity increased by 10.5% year-on-year.

Demand for air cargo is a useful barometer of trade, with many high-value items transport by air, such as smart phones and IT equipment, automotive components, precious metals and gems, perishable food items and pharmaceuticals.

E-commerce shipments and other courier items are also a growing component of the air cargo industry.

During March 2025, African airlines recorded a -13.4% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo, the slowest among the regions including a 10.5% year-on-year increase in cargo capacity.  Most of which is belly cargo hold space on passenger aircraft.

A cargo load factor of 37.1% a year-on-year fall of -10.4 ppt. In other words, a little more than one third of the available capacity was taken up by the market.

“March cargo volumes were strong. It is possible that this is partly a front-loading of demand as some businesses tried to beat the well-telegraphed 2 April 2, tariff announcement by the Trump Administration.

The uncertainty over how much of the 2 April proposals will be implemented may eventually weigh on trade. In the meantime, the lower fuel costs—which are also a result of the same uncertainty—are a short-term positive factor for air cargo.

“And, within the temporary pause on implementation we hope that political leaders will be able to shift trade tensions to reliable agreements that can restore confidence in global supply chains,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

March Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw 9.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity increased by 11.3% year-on-year.

North American carriers saw a 9.5% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased by 6.1% year-on-year.

European carriers saw a 4.5% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased 2.0% year-on-year.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a -3.2% year-on-year decrease in demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased by 0.8% year-on-year. It’s possible the weakness in this market is due to year-on-year comparison with the strong growth at the start of 2024 resulting from disruption to Red Sea maritime freight.

Latin American carriers saw 5.8% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March. Capacity increased 4.7% year-on-year.

African airlines saw a -13.4% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in March, the slowest among the regions. Capacity increased by 10.5% year-on-year.

Trade Lane Growth: The Europe-North America route was the busiest trade lane in March. The largest trade lane by market share, Asia-North America, also grew strongly, possibly encouraged by front-loading shipments ahead of potential increased tariffs. Europe-Middle East and Africa-Asia were the only trade lanes to decline in March.

Wole Shadare