The International Air Transport Association has outlined a matrix of global vulnerabilities that could weigh on air freight networks in 2026, highlighting policy fragmentation, climate disruption, financial fragility and geopolitical uncertainty, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

IATA said fragmented regulation, including divergent customs regimes, carbon-pricing frameworks and regional taxation, will raise compliance costs and erode network efficiency. Climate volatility, from extreme weather to agricultural disruption, is expected to strain temperature-sensitive supply chains such as perishables and pharmaceuticals.

The report also flagged cyber threats, with AI-enabled attacks posing systemic risks to cargo operations integrated with airports, handlers and customs systems. A single breakdown could cascade across continents, making cybersecurity a competitive differentiator for carriers.

Oil market shifts may support margins through lower fuel prices, but structural uncertainty around fossil supply poses long-term planning risks for freighter operators. IATA stressed that resilience in 2026 will depend on adapting to these overlapping pressures.