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

Global air cargo demі reached a record in 2025 with cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK) up 3.4% year-on-year і 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 і December ACTK increased 4.5%. Despite stronger capacity growth in some corridors, industry load factor remained near 46–47% overall.
| Метрика | Full Year 2025 | December 2025 YoY |
| CTK (demі) | +3.4% | +4.3% |
| ACTK (capacity) | +3.7% | +4.5% |
| Yields | -1.5% (smallest drop in 3 years) | — |
| Load factor (industry) | 45.7% | 47.1% |
Regional performance — numbers that matter
- Азійсько-Тихоокеанський регіон: strongest growth—CTK +8.4% for full year; December CTK +9.4%.
- Європа: moderate expansion—full year CTK +2.9%; December +4.9%.
- Північна Америка: only region with decline—full year CTK -1.3%; December -2.2%.
- Близький Схід: near-flat annual demі (+0.3%) but capacity up 4.5%.
- Африка і Latin America & Caribbean: mixed results with Африка 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 і policy uncertainty.
Trade-lane shifts: the new map of air freight
The most notable structural change was a clear redirection of flows: Asia–Європа і intracontinental Asian corridors expіed strongly while Asia–Північна Америка softened, influenced by tariff measures і the removal of the US de minimis exemption.
| Trade Lane | CTK YoY 2025 | Global Share |
| Європа – Asia | +10.3% | 21.5% |
| Within Asia | +10.0% | 7.4% |
| Asia – Північна Америка | -0.8% | 23.4% |
| Близький Схід – Asia | +5.8% | 7.4% |
Implications for airport ground services і transfers
Shifting cargo volumes reshape airport operations where time-sensitive freight, express parcels і B2B shipments arrive alongside passenger flows. This has tangible knock-on effects for the transfer market:
- More frequent urgent cargo flights increase demі for reliable airport transfers і delivery vehicles at precise підбір і drop-off times.
- Changing peak times for cargo traffic can alter shuttle schedules, affecting водій allocation і vehicle seat planning for meet-і-greet services.
- Logistics companies і limousine services may need to coordinate exact locations, loading permits і licenses with airports more closely, increasing the value of booking platforms that show vehicle details і водій ratings in advance.
Practical checklist for logistics і transfer planners
- Monitor trade-lane trends to anticipate demі at specific airports і city terminals.
- Plan flexible водій rosters і vehicle types (cargo vans, 4-seaters, 7-seaters, private seater limousines) to match shifting loads.
- Negotiate fares і slot times with providers; track fuel і hіling cost volatility when quoting prices.
Key takeaways at a glance: rising CTK, rebalanced trade lanes toward Asia–Європа і within Asia, softer Asia–Північна Америка flows, і small yield decline as supply і demі normalize. Carriers responded by reallocating capacity і redesigning networks to retain flexibility.
Highlights of this topic are its clear evidence that freight routing decisions directly affect ground transport і airport transfer services, і that regional performance diverges significantly. Still, even the best reviews і most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with водій 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 і reliability of GetTransfer. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com
In summary, 2025 delivered modest but meaningful growth in air cargo demі, led by Азійсько-Тихоокеанський регіон і corridors into Європа, while global yields edged down as market balance returned. For travelers і logistics planners alike, this alters airport arrival patterns, timing for courier і cargo підбірs, і the need for transparent, flexible booking tools. Platforms that show exact vehicle make, model, водій ratings, license і 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 і vehicle helps users quickly decide how much to pay і where to book, making transfers і deliveries simpler across city і country borders.


