Qatar air cargo jumps 11% YoY, flights increase 6%

Air cargo and mail traffic in Qatar surged 11.2% in January 2026, rising from 190,018 tons in January 2025 to 211,281 tons, according to preliminary data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar (CAAQ). Aircraft movements also grew 6% year-on-year, reaching 25,379 flights, reflecting strong momentum in the nation’s logistics sector.

The growth was supported by Qatar Airways’ expansion of its network and capacity. The airline added new routes and deployed larger aircraft, including Airbus A380s on select services, to meet rising freight demand.

Khamis Abdullah Alkhelaifi, ICAO Ground Instructor, noted that the surge builds on a high-performing 2025 and is backed by the airline’s operational reliability. Qatar Airways achieved an on-time performance rate of around 84% last year and won a Platinum Award for punctuality, signaling consistent service quality as the year began.

The January cargo gains also reflect broader regional trends, with the Middle East continuing to see strong double-digit growth in air freight volumes. With strong capacity, expanded global connections, and steady demand, Qatar is positioning itself as a key logistics hub linking Asia, Europe, and beyond, with air cargo driving economic growth and trade connectivity in the region.