Asia Pacific air cargo demand up 6.4% in Sept on manufacturing, AI

Air cargo markets in the Asia Pacific saw firm growth in September 2026, benefiting from stronger global manufacturing activity, increased purchases of raw materials and components, and sustained demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related goods.

During the month, international air cargo demand grew 6.4% to 6.442 billion freight tonne kilometres (FTK), outpacing the 4.9% expansion in offered freight capacity to 10.682 billion available freight tonne kilometers (AFTK), according to preliminary figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

As a result, the average international freight load factor rose by 0.8 percentage points to 60.3% for the month.

For January to September 2026, international cargo demand also rose 5.6% to 56.835 billion FTK, while offered freight capacity expanded 4.6% to 95.059 billion AFTK. Freight load factor for the first nine months of the year slightly improved by 0.6 percentage points to 59.8%.

This story was originally published by PortCalls Asia. Read the full story at PortCalls Asia →