Asia-Pacific air cargo demand rises 6.2pc in first seven months

Bangkok : Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 6.2 percent year-over-year increase in international air cargo demand during the first seven months of 2026, despite a slowdown in growth in July, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said.

International freight ton-kilometers rose 1.1 percent in July, while available freight capacity increased 1.8 percent, pushing the regional freight load factor down 0.4 percentage points to 61.3 percent.

AAPA said strong technology-product shipments supported cargo activity, although weaker consumer-goods demand moderated growth.

Passenger traffic also softened in July, with airlines carrying 32.4 million international passengers, down 1.3 percent from a year earlier. However, passenger demand measured by revenue passenger-kilometers increased 1.1 percent.

AAPA Director General Wong Hong said longer-haul markets remained resilient, while high fares affected price-sensitive leisure travelers.

Jet fuel averaged USD 143 per barrel in July, up 52 percent year over year, adding pressure on airline costs. Airspace restrictions linked to the Middle East conflict also contributed to network adjustments.

Wong said export activity from major Asian manufacturing centers continued to support cargo demand, although growth momentum has moderated.