Middle East air cargo demand up 5.6% in June

Middle East air cargo demand increased 5.6 percent year on year in June 2026, while capacity rose 2.5 percent, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). With demand growing faster than capacity, airlines were able to improve cargo utilisation, allowing them to move more freight without adding significant space.

Cargo load factor increased by 1.4 percentage points to 46.5 percent, reflecting better use of available cargo capacity. The trend points to stronger operating efficiency for airlines as global demand for high-value technology products and time-sensitive shipments remained firm.

IATA said the region's growth should be viewed against a weak June 2025, when military conflict disrupted airline operations across the Middle East. Despite the recovery, Gulf-linked trade corridors continued to face pressure.

Cargo traffic between Europe and the Middle East fell 41.1 percent, while the Middle East–Asia trade lane declined 4.1 percent. Both routes have now recorded four consecutive months of contraction, highlighting the continued impact of regional tensions on cargo flows.

Globally, air cargo demand rose 8.5 percent in June, ahead of the 4.4 percent increase in capacity. IATA said demand in the second half of 2026 is expected to remain supported by global trade, but ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and renewed US tariff measures remain key risks.