Global air cargo demand rose 4.1 per cent year on year in October, marking the eighth consecutive month of growth, reported London's Air Cargo News. Capacity increased 5.1 per cent, though the cargo load factor slipped to 47.1 per cent.

IATA director general Willie Walsh said the Asia-North America trade lane contracted for the sixth month, down 1.4 per cent, but other routes showed strong gains. Europe-Asia traffic rose 11.7 per cent, within-Asia improved 9 per cent and Middle East-Asia climbed 11.5 per cent.

Airline performance varied by region. North American carriers saw cargo traffic fall 2.7 per cent, while Asian airlines posted an 8.3 per cent increase. European carriers rose 4.3 per cent, Middle Eastern carriers 5.7 per cent, Latin American carriers 2.7 per cent and African airlines surged 16.6 per cent.

Walsh said the shifting growth pattern shows air cargo is helping supply chains adapt to US tariffs, with the sector entering its peak fourth-quarter season. IATA added that global manufacturing sentiment strengthened slightly, with the PMI rising to 51.45, though new export orders remained below the expansion threshold at 48.31.