African airways’ air cargo demand rose by 4.7% year-on-year in September 2026, even as cargo capacity declined, in line with the newest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The figures got here amid a 7.7% enhance in international air cargo demand, supported by stronger commerce and manufacturing exercise and shipments linked to synthetic intelligence.
However, rising jet gas costs continued to place strain on airline working prices.
African air cargo capacity declines
The report reveals that African airways’ cargo capacity contracted by 1.2% year-on-year, contrasting with the two.7% enhance recorded globally. International cargo demand rose by 8.6%, whereas worldwide capacity elevated by 3.3%.
- North American airways recorded an 11.8% enhance in cargo demand, whereas capacity rose by 0.8%.
- Asia-Pacific airways recorded demand progress of 8.6% and capacity progress of 4.9%.
- European airways’ cargo demand elevated by 4.5%, whereas capacity declined by 1.6%.
Middle Eastern airways recorded demand progress of three.8%, in contrast with capacity progress of seven%, whereas Latin American and Caribbean airways recorded will increase of 6.7% in demand and seven.6% in capacity.
IATA Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen stated, “Air cargo demand rose 7.7% year-on-year in September, with growth across all regions. Stronger global trade and manufacturing provided a supportive backdrop, while AI-related shipments helped drive another month of double-digit growth across the Pacific.”
The Asia–North America commerce lane remained the strongest-performing main hall, adopted by intra-Asia visitors, Europe–North America and Europe–Asia. Cargo visitors declined on the Europe–Middle East and Middle East–Asia corridors.
Jet gas costs greater than double in September
Despite stronger international cargo demand, rising gas costs continued to weigh on airline profitability. IATA reported that jet gas costs elevated by 17.5% month-on-month in September and had been 103.4% greater than a yr earlier.
Global commerce elevated by 3.6% year-on-year in August, marking 42 consecutive months of progress. Manufacturing indicators additionally strengthened in the course of the interval.
- The international manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose by 0.7 factors to 53.8.
- The New Export Orders Index elevated by 0.5 factors to 51.9.
- Both indicators reached their highest ranges in 5 years.
- IATA stated airline yields had not saved tempo with rising bills, including to strain on profitability.
The figures level to a supportive surroundings for air cargo volumes, however greater gas prices stay a problem for airways in search of to translate demand progress into stronger monetary efficiency.
African air cargo developments From February to August
African airways’ cargo efficiency various significantly within the months main as much as September, with demand and capacity recording totally different progress charges. The figures present that demand progress was notably robust in February and May earlier than moderating in subsequent months.
- In August, cargo demand increased by 3% year-on-year, whereas capacity expanded by 14%.
- In July, demand rose by 1.1%, whereas capacity grew by 4.1%.
- In June, demand elevated by 4.7%, even as capacity declined by 7.1%.
- In May, demand rose by 13.3%, whereas capacity elevated by 1.3%.
- In April, demand grew by 7.7%, whereas capacity fell by 9.4%. March recorded 7% demand progress, whereas February noticed demand enhance by 21%, with the Africa–Asia hall recording notably robust progress of 61.9%.
The Africa–Asia hall subsequently contracted by 11.9% year-on-year in August, marking its third consecutive month-to-month decline at that time.
Nigeria’s air freight market and progress prospects
Nigeria’s air freight market may gain advantage from progress in cargo demand, notably for time-sensitive shipments, diaspora exports and business-to-business and consumer-to-consumer commerce.
Aramex Nigeria Managing Director Faisal Jarmakani has estimated the country’s air freight logistics market at more than $8 billion. Lagos serves as the nation’s major cargo hub, whereas Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano are additionally vital gateways.
- Airport cargo-processing delays can gradual the motion of shipments.
- High dealing with prices enhance the price of shifting items via the air freight system.
- Limited know-how integration amongst regulatory businesses can complicate logistics and cargo clearance.
- Improved digitisation, decrease logistics prices and higher warehousing may assist higher effectivity within the sector.
For Nigerian companies, air freight stays vital for items that want to achieve their locations shortly. The potential of native operators to learn from progress in international air cargo demand will even rely upon the effectivity and price of the home logistics chain.
