Air freight volumes in Africa rose 7% year-on-year in March 2026, according to the International Air Transport Association, making the continent the fastest-growing region globally even as overall cargo demand weakened.
The expansion, while solid, marked a sharp slowdown after a strong start to the year. African air cargo volumes had surged 18.2% in January and 21% in February, extending a five-month streak of robust gains before moderating in March.
A key driver of the region’s performance—the Africa–Asia trade corridor—also cooled significantly. Traffic on the route grew 22.6% in March, down from 61.9% the previous month, though it still recorded its ninth consecutive month of expansion, underscoring sustained trade linkages between the regions.
Global air freight trends were mixed, with several regions posting modest gains while others contracted. Asia-Pacific recorded the second-strongest performance, with volumes rising 5.4%. Growth in Europe remained moderate at 2.2%, while Latin America saw a 1.8% increase.
By contrast, North America experienced a 1.2% decline in cargo volumes, and the Middle East saw a steep contraction of 54.3%, reflecting ongoing disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the region.
At the global level, air cargo demand fell 4.8% in March compared with the same month in 2025, accompanied by a 4.7% drop in available capacity. The downturn highlights the fragility of international supply chains amid rising uncertainty tied to trade policy shifts, operational constraints and geopolitical risks.
Despite the March slowdown, the International Air Transport Association maintained a broadly optimistic outlook for the rest of 2026. The industry body said underlying demand fundamentals remain strong, supported by resilient global trade flows and improving macroeconomic projections.
Revised forecasts from the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund continue to point to steady growth in global trade and economic activity, providing a supportive backdrop for air cargo demand.
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“Air cargo networks continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability,” said Willie Walsh, director general of the airline group. He noted that the sector’s flexibility allows it to respond quickly to shifting supply chain dynamics, including disruptions stemming from geopolitical tensions, tariffs and operational challenges.
The moderation in Africa’s growth suggests a normalisation after an exceptional start to the year rather than a reversal in trend. Continued expansion along key trade corridors, particularly with Asia, is expected to underpin performance in the coming months, even as global conditions remain uncertain.
