The air cargo industry recorded its eighth straight month of growth in October, with demand rising 4.1 per cent year-on-year in cargo tonne kilometres, reported London's Air Cargo News.

Capacity increased 5.1 per cent, while the load factor slipped 0.5 points to 47.1 per cent. according to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA director general Willie Walsh said the figures highlight how global supply chains are adapting to US tariff impacts. While Asia-North America traffic contracted for a sixth month, other trade lanes saw double-digit growth.

Europe-Asia demand rose 11.7 per cent, within-Asia improved nine per cent and Middle East-Asia climbed 11.5 per cent. Asia-North America fell 1.4 per cent year on year.

Airline performance varied, with North American carriers down 2.7 per cent. Asian airlines grew 8.3 per cent, European carriers 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.

IATA noted global manufacturing sentiment strengthened in October, with the PMI rising to 51.45. However, new export orders slipped to 48.31, below the expansion threshold, reflecting continued caution amid tariff uncertainty.