📈 Global Air Cargo Hits Record Volumes in 2025

Full-year 2025 data from IATA reveals a resilient global air cargo market, driven by e-commerce and shifting trade routes despite geopolitical uncertainties. • Overall Performance Global demand (CTK) rose 3.4% YoY in 2025. Global capacity (ACTK) increased by 3.7% YoY. Yields saw a minor dip of 1.5%, remaining 37.2% above 2019 levels. • Regional Highlights Asia-Pacific: Led global growth with a robust 8.4% increase in demand, benefiting from strong intra-Asia and Asia-Europe flows. Africa: Recorded 6.0% annual growth, ending December with a massive 10.1% surge. North America: The only region to contract, with demand falling 1.3% YoY due to tariff pressures and trade stagnation with Asia. • Economic Context & Outlook Global trade in goods grew 4.4% through November 2025. Growth was fueled by "front-loading" of deliveries ahead of new tariffs and the strength of global e-commerce. For Sri Lanka, these trends highlight the critical role of logistics and transportation hubs in tapping into the high-growth Asia-Europe corridors. 2026 forecast: Growth is expected to moderate to 2.4%, aligning with historical trends. _Source: IATA (Based on provisional full-year 2025 data)_