QR, Emirates, Etihad feature in IATA 2024 airline rankings

FedEx retained its top position in IATA 2024 World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report, with air cargo volumes reaching 18 billion cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs). Among Middle East carriers, QR ranked second globally, posting a 5.6 per cent hike to 15.2 billion CTKs, while Emirates remained in the top 10. Etihad Airways entered the top 25 list, marking a milestone in its cargo operations. The strong performance of Middle East airlines reflects the region’s expanding role in global air freight, driven by rising e-commerce volumes and continued investment in cargo infrastructure.