Global air cargo demand increased 3.9% year on year in July 2026, with airlines in Africa recording the weakest regional growth, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

African carriers saw cargo demand rise just 1.1%, while their capacity expanded 4.1% compared with July 2025, leaving capacity growth well ahead of demand.

Worldwide demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), grew 3.9%, while available capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased 1.7%. International cargo demand rose 4.7%.

“Air cargo demand grew 3.9% year-on-year in July. While all regions recorded growth, airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America accounted for more than 90% of the overall increase,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.

She noted that dedicated freighters increased their market share as belly-hold cargo traffic declined, potentially reflecting stronger demand for larger or specialised shipments and the greater operational flexibility offered by freighter aircraft.

Thomsen said the outlook remains broadly positive, supported by manufacturing activity, export orders and global trade, but warned that higher fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding tariffs could pose challenges.

Africa-Asia cargo trade weakens

Despite the overall increase in African airlines’ cargo demand, trade between Africa and Asia deteriorated sharply in July.

The Africa-Asia trade lane contracted 14.7% year on year, marking its second consecutive monthly decline. The route represented 1.3% of global industry market share based on full-year 2025 CTKs.

Other trade corridors linked to the Gulf also recorded significant declines. Cargo traffic between Europe and the Middle East fell 16.1%, while the Middle East-Asia market dropped 14.1%.

In contrast, the Asia-North America corridor expanded 9.2%, extending its growth streak to six consecutive months. Intra-Asian cargo demand increased 6.1%, marking the lane’s 33rd consecutive month of growth.

Fuel prices emerge as a growing concern

Air cargo conditions remained supported by broader economic activity, although rising fuel prices and geopolitical risks could create additional pressure.

Global trade grew 7.5% year on year, while manufacturing activity continued to support cargo demand despite a modest slowdown in June. Export orders also reached their strongest level in three months.

The Global Manufacturing Output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined 0.3 points to 52.7, while the New Export Orders Index climbed to 50.0.

Jet fuel prices, meanwhile, increased 12.2% month on month in July and were 56.9% higher than a year earlier.

North America leads regional growth

North American airlines posted the strongest regional increase in cargo demand, with growth of 4.8% year on year.

European carriers followed with 4.4%, while airlines in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean regions each recorded 4.1% growth.

Middle Eastern carriers reported a 1.7% increase, while African airlines ranked last with 1.1%.

Capacity growth varied considerably across regions. Latin American and Caribbean carriers expanded capacity by 7.0%, followed by African airlines at 4.1%, Middle Eastern carriers at 4.0%, Asia-Pacific carriers at 3.0% and European airlines at 1.3%.

North American carriers were the only regional group to reduce capacity, cutting available cargo capacity by 1.5% year on year.

IATA said the global air cargo outlook remains generally positive, supported by manufacturing, export orders and continued growth in global trade. However, fuel costs, geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty remain key risks for the sector.

Source: ZAWYA

Qatar Airways is preparing for a major expansion and fleet modernization programme, with plans to take delivery of 138 new aircraft over the next five years, according to Chief Executive Officer Hamad Ali Al Khater.

Speaking at a media open day on Wednesday, Al Khater outlined the airline’s medium-term strategy as Qatar Airways showcased key facilities at Hamad International Airport, including its Integrated Operations Center, maintenance hangars and Customer Support and Disruption Management Center.

The aircraft pipeline will include Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s, while the airline is also preparing to introduce the next-generation Qsuite next summer.

Qatar Airways also plans to receive 50 Airbus A321LR aircraft by the end of the year. The aircraft will allow the carrier to serve secondary markets where operating economics can make larger aircraft less viable.

The airline is further expanding onboard connectivity, with around 150 aircraft expected to be equipped with Starlink high-speed internet. The move is aimed at creating what Qatar Airways describes as the world’s largest connected fleet.

Al Khater said the airline had successfully managed significant regional and global airspace restrictions while maintaining strong passenger demand. Passenger traffic has recovered to between 90% and 95% of last year’s level, alongside high load factors.

The carrier’s destination network has also expanded sharply, growing from 60 destinations to 160 since mid-June. At the same time, daily passenger volumes at Hamad International Airport have exceeded 140,000 as international airlines resume services to Doha.

Operational challenges remain, with airspace congestion currently causing delays of between 10 minutes and one hour. Al Khater said Qatar Airways was fully prepared to manage potential disruptions and mitigate operational risks.

He also highlighted the airline’s response to three major operational shocks over the past two years, including regional airspace closures since late February, the recent Indonesian volcanic eruption that affected 700 passengers, and a major British air navigation IT outage that disrupted hundreds of flights.

The CEO said organizational restructuring was also underway to improve passenger service. A newly established Customer Experience Department will bring together areas including hospitality and catering as part of efforts to strengthen the overall travel experience.

Al Khater also reaffirmed Qatar Airways’ focus on professional development and the advancement of Qatari talent and leadership, which he said would remain important to maintaining the airline’s position on the global aviation stage.

Source: QCAA

flyadeal, the fast-growing low-cost carrier of Saudia Group, will highlight its contribution to Saudi Arabia’s tourism development at World Travel Market (WTM) Riyadh, being held from September 8 to 10, 2026.

The airline will showcase its expanding domestic and international network, which links major cities, emerging destinations and global markets while providing more affordable travel options across the Kingdom.

As Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry continues to expand, flyadeal’s growing fleet and route network are helping improve access to the country’s cultural, heritage, leisure and nature destinations.

The airline will also present its customer-focused approach, competitive fares and initiatives aimed at improving the passenger experience throughout the journey, from booking to arrival.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Acting Chief Executive Officer of flyadeal and Executive Vice President of Strategies at Saudia Group, said Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation was creating significant opportunities for the aviation sector.

He said flyadeal was supporting the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions by connecting travellers with more destinations across Saudi Arabia and international markets.

Kapoor added that the airline’s expanding network, 47 Airbus A320 aircraft, multiple operating bases, affordable fares and focus on customer service were helping make travel more accessible while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism goals.

Source: TradeArabia

Etihad Airways will launch flights to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on 4 October 2026, adding a year-round leisure destination to its growing network.

The airline will serve Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province, allowing passengers from across Etihad’s network to reach the destination with a single connection through Abu Dhabi. The new service will also improve access to the Red Sea from markets across the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.

The Red Sea will become Etihad’s sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, joining Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the new route would make the type of leisure experience typically associated with long-haul travel more accessible from Abu Dhabi.

“The kind of holiday people normally take a long-haul flight for, islands, reefs and relaxation, is now a short flight from Abu Dhabi and a single connection from anywhere across our network,” Neves said.

Services between Abu Dhabi and the Red Sea will initially operate once a week from 4 October, with frequency increasing to twice weekly from 25 October 2026.

Source: ZAWYA

Jazeera Airways has launched direct flights between Kuwait and Addis Ababa, adding the Ethiopian capital to its growing African network and strengthening connectivity between the two countries.

The inaugural service was marked by a ceremony at Jazeera Terminal 5, attended by Ethiopian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Sied Jibril and senior Jazeera Airways executives.

The airline will operate three flights per week on the new route, providing greater travel options for more than 70,000 Ethiopian nationals living in Kuwait.

Jibril welcomed the launch, describing the new connection as an important development in the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and Kuwait. He said direct air links could support tourism, trade, investment and cultural exchanges while making travel easier for the Ethiopian community in Kuwait.

Paul Carroll, Chief Commercial Officer of Jazeera Airways, said Addis Ababa was a strategically important addition to the airline’s network and its first destination in Eastern Africa.

He said the route would serve the Ethiopian community in Kuwait while supporting business, trade and leisure travel between the two countries. Carroll added that Africa represented an important growth market for Jazeera Airways, with the Addis Ababa service strengthening its presence on the continent and providing passengers with connections through Kuwait to other destinations.

Source: ZAWYA

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes under its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering key destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia.

The seasonal schedule will run from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, aligning with Thailand’s peak tourism period.

THAI announced the programme on September 2, 2026, saying it had increased selected services and flight frequencies in response to passenger bookings and travel demand. The airline is also using the winter schedule to strengthen its network connectivity through Bangkok.

The carrier’s winter network will include 15 routes to Europe and Australia, 43 routes across Asia and eight domestic routes.

Source: QCAA