Middle Eastern Air Carriers Report 13% Cargo Demand Growth in 2024
Middle East aviation sector sees significant cargo demand growth, driven by e-commerce and ocean freight challenges, while global air cargo demand grows by 11.3%.
Middle Eastern air carriers saw a 13% increase in air cargo demand in 2024, driven by the boom in e-commerce and ongoing ocean freight disruptions, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The region’s airlines handled 13.6% of global air cargo, with growth attributed to Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil revenues, as part of its National Aviation Strategy, which aims to handle 4.5 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030.
In 2024, global air cargo demand, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, rose by 11.3% compared to the previous year.
The surge was especially notable as international shipping routes faced challenges, including attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea and a 22% decrease in the number of ships using the Suez Canal, prompting many to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, increasing delivery times by up to 10 days.
IATA’s Director-General Willie Walsh highlighted that air cargo outperformed other transport sectors, benefiting from both strong demand and high yields due to shipping restrictions and airspace limitations.
Middle Eastern carriers expanded their air cargo capacity by 5.5%, with regional demand growing by 3.3% in December 2024.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region led global cargo demand growth with a 14.5% increase in 2024, while European and Latin American carriers saw demand increases of 11.2% and 12.6%, respectively.
North America recorded the lowest demand growth at 6.6%.
Looking ahead, IATA projects a 5.8% growth in global air cargo demand in 2025, with the outlook remaining positive despite geopolitical uncertainties.
Economic factors, including lower oil prices and continued trade growth, are expected to support the industry, though challenges such as tariffs and inflation could impact future performance.
The region’s airlines handled 13.6% of global air cargo, with growth attributed to Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil revenues, as part of its National Aviation Strategy, which aims to handle 4.5 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030.
In 2024, global air cargo demand, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, rose by 11.3% compared to the previous year.
The surge was especially notable as international shipping routes faced challenges, including attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea and a 22% decrease in the number of ships using the Suez Canal, prompting many to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, increasing delivery times by up to 10 days.
IATA’s Director-General Willie Walsh highlighted that air cargo outperformed other transport sectors, benefiting from both strong demand and high yields due to shipping restrictions and airspace limitations.
Middle Eastern carriers expanded their air cargo capacity by 5.5%, with regional demand growing by 3.3% in December 2024.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region led global cargo demand growth with a 14.5% increase in 2024, while European and Latin American carriers saw demand increases of 11.2% and 12.6%, respectively.
North America recorded the lowest demand growth at 6.6%.
Looking ahead, IATA projects a 5.8% growth in global air cargo demand in 2025, with the outlook remaining positive despite geopolitical uncertainties.
Economic factors, including lower oil prices and continued trade growth, are expected to support the industry, though challenges such as tariffs and inflation could impact future performance.
