IATA 2025 Air Cargo Results: Rising Volumes and Shifting Trade Lanes

Global air cargo demand reached a record in 2025 with cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK) up 3.4% year-on-year and available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK) up 3.7%, while full-year yields fell a modest 1.5% as post‑COVID pricing normalised.

Key 2025 figures at a glance

December closed the year with sustained momentum: December CTK climbed 4.3% versus December 2024 and December ACTK increased 4.5%. Despite stronger capacity growth in some corridors, industry load factor remained near 46–47% overall.

Regional performance — numbers that matter

• Asie-Pacifique: strongest growth—CTK +8.4% for full year; December CTK +9.4%.
• L'Europe: moderate expansion—full year CTK +2.9%; December +4.9%.
• Amérique du Nord: only region with decline—full year CTK -1.3%; December -2.2%.
• Moyen-Orient: near-flat annual demand (+0.3%) but capacity up 4.5%.
• Afrique et Latin America & Caribbean: mixed results with Africa showing double-digit December gains.

Operating environment highlights

Several structural factors framed performance in 2025:

• Global goods trade rose roughly 4.4% year-to-date (Jan–Nov 2025), lifting cargo-intensive lanes.
• Jet fuel averaged about 9.1% lower year-on-year, though refiners captured more margin through higher crack spreads, muting full fuel benefits for carriers.
• Manufacturing sentiment improved but new export orders hovered below expansion threshold, reflecting tariff and policy uncertainty.

Trade-lane shifts: the new map of air freight

The most notable structural change was a clear redirection of flows: Asia–Europe and intracontinental Asian corridors expanded strongly while Asia–North America softened, influenced by tariff measures and the removal of the US de minimis exemption.

Implications for airport ground services and transfers

Shifting cargo volumes reshape airport operations where time-sensitive freight, express parcels and B2B shipments arrive alongside passenger flows. This has tangible knock-on effects for the transfer market:

• More frequent urgent cargo flights increase demand for reliable transferts aéroport and delivery vehicles at precise pickup et drop-off times.
• Changing peak times for cargo traffic can alter shuttle schedules, affecting conducteur allocation and vehicle seat planning for meet-and-greet services.
• Logistics companies and limousine services may need to coordinate exact locations, loading permits and licenses with airports more closely, increasing the value of booking platforms that show vehicle details and driver ratings in advance.

Practical checklist for logistics and transfer planners

• Monitor trade-lane trends to anticipate demand at specific airports and city terminals.
• Plan flexible driver rosters and vehicle types (cargo vans, 4-seaters, 7-seaters, private seater limousines) to match shifting loads.
• Negotiate fares and slot times with providers; track fuel and handling cost volatility when quoting prices.

Key takeaways at a glance: rising CTK, rebalanced trade lanes toward Asia–Europe and within Asia, softer Asia–North America flows, and small yield decline as supply and demand normalize. Carriers responded by reallocating capacity and redesigning networks to retain flexibility.

Highlights of this topic are its clear evidence that freight routing decisions directly affect ground transport and airport transfer services, and that regional performance diverges significantly. Still, even the best reviews and most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. For your next trip, consider the convenience and reliability of GetTransfer. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

In summary, 2025 delivered modest but meaningful growth in air cargo demand, led by Asie-Pacifique and corridors into Europe, while global yields edged down as market balance returned. For travelers and logistics planners alike, this alters airport arrival patterns, timing for courier and cargo pickups, and the need for transparent, flexible booking tools. Platforms that show exact vehicle make, model, conducteur ratings, license and fare details—such as GetTransfer.com—help lock in the right car or cab for a destination, whether you need a cheap transfer, private limousine, or the best seater for a group. That transparency around price, service and vehicle helps users quickly decide how much to pay and where to book, making transfers and deliveries simpler across city and country borders.