African Airlines Lead Global Air Cargo Growth | By David Kwakutse
African airlines posted the strongest air cargo growth of any region in May 2026, underscoring the continent’s expanding role in global logistics even as conflict-related disruptions continued to weigh heavily on carriers in the Middle East.
According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) latest air cargo market analysis, demand for freight services by African airlines rose 13.3% year-on-year in May, more than double the global average growth rate of 6.0%.
The performance placed Africa ahead of all other regions, highlighting growing demand for the continent’s air cargo services amid strengthening trade flows and improving connectivity.
African carriers also expanded cargo capacity by 1.3% compared with the same period last year, while achieving an average cargo load factor of 46.9%, slightly above the global average of 46.3%. Despite the strong growth, Africa accounted for just 2.1% of the world’s total air cargo market, illustrating the considerable room for further expansion.
The latest figures suggest African airlines are benefiting from increasing demand for the movement of high-value, time-sensitive goods, even as the continent continues investing in airport infrastructure, cargo handling facilities and regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Globally, air cargo demand continued its upward trajectory, rising 6.0% year-on-year in May, while industry-wide cargo capacity increased by 1.9%, indicating that demand continues to outpace the expansion of available freight space.
In contrast, airlines in the Middle East experienced a markedly different operating environment. The region recorded an 8.9% contraction in cargo demand as ongoing geopolitical tensions and war-related disruptions continued to affect trade flows and airline operations.
The divergence in regional performance reflects a shifting landscape for global air freight, with African carriers increasingly benefiting from evolving supply chains and growing intra-African commerce, while conflict-hit markets continue to face operational headwinds.
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