Geneva, May 28 -- Global air cargo demand rose four per cent year-on-year in April 2026, driven largely by strong Asia-linked trade flows, even as disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict continued to reshape cargo routes and squeeze capacity on key global corridors, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

According to IATA data, total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased 4 per cent in April compared to the same month last year, while global cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), fell 0.4 per cent.

"Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating envir...