September air-cargo demand grows faster than capacity

IATA released its September 2026 cargo figures on 29 October. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, increased 7.7% from a year earlier; available capacity increased 2.7%. International demand grew 8.6%. These figures describe the industry, not an individual flight.

The report shows different conditions across trade lanes and continuing fuel-cost pressure. Demand growth is not a freight-rate increase of the same percentage, nor proof that a particular route is full. Shipment dimensions, product restrictions and the actual booking still matter.