Despite tariff adjustments, global air freight demand set a record in March: IATA

In March 2025, the demand for air freight increased 4.4% year over year (YoY), setting a new record for the month. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a more robust growth of 5.5% for international operations. In comparison to March 2024, capacity, as expressed in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), rose 4.3% overall and 6.1% internationally.

A number of noteworthy trends were evident in the working environment in March 2025. After the seasonal pause in February, cargo volumes usually climb, and this year’s single-digit increase is consistent with growth trends prior to Covid-19. According to IATA’s data, jet fuel prices fell 17.3% year over year, which is the ninth consecutive month that they have done so. Early purchases were probably prompted by the steep rise in US tariffs and new trade laws, such as the May 2 prohibition on duty-free imports from China and Hong Kong, in order to save money on imports. Global industrial production increased 3.2% year over year, although trade volumes increased 2.9%.

With the US consumer price index (CPI) dropping to 2.4% (down 0.4 points from February), the EU CPI at 2.5%, and Japan’s rate reducing by 0.1 points to 3.6%, the inflation rates displayed a decreasing trend. Despite this, China’s deflation rate only slightly decreased to -0.1%. In March, Asia-Pacific airlines experienced the largest YoY gain in air cargo demand, with a 9.6% increase. Capacity rose 11.3% year over year. Due to strong freight flow across the Atlantic, the Europe–North America route became the busiest commerce lane in March 2025. The greatest market share, the Asia-North America route, also saw rapid growth, most likely as a result of shipments being front-loaded in anticipation of future tariff increases. The only trade channels to experience a decrease throughout the month, however, were those connecting Europe to the Middle East and Africa to Asia.