Middle East air freight demand up 1% in August

Air cargo demand in the Middle East grew 1% year on year in August, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), with the region continuing to record growth in cargo volumes.

Middle Eastern carriers saw capacity rise 3.3% during the month, supporting additional cargo activity across the region. The figures come as global air cargo demand increased 4.4% year on year in August.

The wider air cargo market also recorded stronger demand, with international cargo demand rising 5.3%. Global trade increased 6% year on year in July, extending its run of monthly growth to 33 months.

“Air cargo demand rose 4.4% year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1%,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.

For the Middle East, the August figures point to continued year-on-year growth in air cargo demand, while airlines increased available cargo capacity. The region accounted for 13.2% of global air cargo traffic in 2025, according to IATA.