Ankara: Global air cargo demand increased by 8.5% year-on-year in June, marking a significant growth that outpaced capacity in most regions. This surge was reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday, highlighting a robust rebound in the air cargo sector.

According to Anadolu Agency, air cargo capacity rose by 4.4% year-on-year during the month. Willie Walsh, the director general of IATA, emphasized the positive growth trend across all regions compared to last year, with North America emerging as the strongest contributor.

Walsh pointed out that the demand growth exceeded capacity globally and in every region, with the exception of Latin America and the Caribbean. High-value technology products and urgent shipments were key drivers of the demand, growing faster than the 5.2% year-on-year increase in global trade.

Despite the positive trends, Walsh issued a warning about potential risks for the second half of 2026. He cited ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and a renewed US focus on tariffs as factors that could impact future growth.

In a related development, jet fuel prices experienced a 20% decrease on a monthly basis in June, although they remained 45.8% higher than the levels recorded in the previous year.