Global air cargo has regained altitude in April 2026 after a turbulent March caused by the outbreak of war in the Middle East. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), volumes increased by approximately 4% year-on-year in April, and remain up 3.6% over the first four months of the year, already surpassing the record set in 2025. IATA notes that 2025 was already a historic peak for air freight, with global volumes at an all-time high, driven by e-commerce and demand for high-value goods. In 2026, the trend remains positive: over the January–April period, global air cargo grew by 3.6% in cargo tonne-kilometres compared to the same period in 2025. April confirms this rebound, with a roughly 4% increase in volumes transported compared to April 2025, following a 4.8% contraction in March when the Middle East conflict began. **Middle East effect: from March shock to April rebound** In March, major Gulf hubs were severely impacted by the closure or restriction of certain airspaces, leading to a 4.8% drop in global cargo demand. IATA attributed this decline to "severe disruptions at major Gulf hub airports due to the war in the Middle East," combined with the seasonal effect of the Lunar New Year in Asia. In April, the market "rebounded," the association notes: global demand returned to positive territory, even though Middle Eastern airlines remained significantly down. Carriers in the region still saw their demand fall by 18.2% year-on-year in April, contrasting sharply with the dynamics observed in the rest of the world. They continue to be penalised by the war and the disorganisation of traditional routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa. **Asia-Pacific leads, Europe and North America follow** Cargo growth is driven by Asia-Pacific, which remains the world's largest market with nearly 36% market share. Airlines in the region saw their volumes increase by 10.5% in April year-on-year, supported by "resilient Asian trade flows," according to IATA. European carriers also recorded progress, with a 6% rise in cargo demand in April compared to 2025. In North America, growth is more moderate but real, around 5% in tonne-kilometres over the same period, amid active transpacific and transatlantic trade. Latin American and African carriers, smaller in volume, partly benefit from traffic diversion and the search for alternative routes. However, IATA estimates that these markets remain dependent on the health of global trade and the capacity offered by major intercontinental alliances. **Air cargo: the big winner in a tense world** For IATA, the resilience of air cargo is explained by its role as a "logistical safety net," especially when maritime shipping is disrupted. The Middle East war and risks to certain sea routes have increased the appeal of air transport for electronics, pharmaceuticals, or high-value fresh goods. "Growth was supported by resilient Asian trade flows," IATA emphasises, viewing cargo as one of the strongest segments of air transport in 2026. After an already record-breaking 2025, the association anticipates further growth in annual volumes, confirming cargo's key role in airline revenues.