Middle East sees 1.5% cargo capacity growth in June

Air cargo capacity in the Middle East grew by 1.5 per cent year-on-year in June, even as regional demand declined by 3.2 per cent. The growth in available cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs) signals resilience in regional freight operations despite mounting challenges. According to IATA’s latest market report, June marked the second consecutive monthly contraction in cargo volumes for the region. The report also highlighted a broader global slowdown in air freight, with projected volume growth for 2025 revised to 0.7%, significantly lower than the 11.3% seen in 2024. Rising protectionism, including new US tariffs and regulatory changes affecting low-value imports, is expected to further impact e-commerce-driven air cargo flows.