Air Cargo

Air Cargo Demand Rises 5% Despite Global Economic Headwinds

Global air cargo demand increased 5% year-over-year in June 2026, outpacing broader economic growth. Freight forwarders navigated a complex landscape marked by Middle East conflict, tariff uncertainty, volatile fuel costs, and transport corridor disruptions.

The growth was concentrated on specific trade lanes rather than broad-based export expansion, with IATA noting weak export orders overall. High-value technology products and urgent shipments drove the gains, underscoring the critical role forwarders play in identifying available capacity and assembling alternatives when routes become unavailable or regulations shift.

Forwarders are capitalizing on emerging opportunities beyond traditional airfreight. Data center buildout—with U.S. capacity projected to double within three years—is generating demand for server, semiconductor, and chip transportation alongside storage, staging, sequencing, and installation support services.