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IATA: Air cargo contributed $157 billion in frontloaded trade and supported AI growth in 2025
March 12th 2026
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a report at the 19th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Lima, Peru, highlighting air cargo’s vital role in sustaining global trade and supporting economic growth in 2025 amid severe trade policy uncertainty. Read More » Two key report findings are that air cargo enabled the frontloading of $157 billion of US imports in the first quarter of 2025 and transported more than two-thirds of global AI-related goods in 2025. These activities supported global trade growth of 2.4% in 2025—well above the World Trade Organization’s initial forecasts. Global GDP also expanded by 3.2% despite significant policy headwinds. “Air cargo is a structural component of global economic resilience. In 2025, it helped businesses absorb tariff shocks, enabled rapid trade restructuring, and supported the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) investment, helping sustain trade and economic growth in a challenging year,” said Julia Seiermann, IATA’s Head of Industry Analysis.
The industry gathering takes place during an ongoing war crisis in the Middle East, which is affecting the global economy. “Last year, I spoke about how air cargo delivers when supply chains are under strain. This year, our theme is Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World. Dynamic from almost every angle — geopolitics, trade, technology, and more. Our task is clear: to navigate change and deliver the connectivity the global economy depends on. The months ahead will test our resolve. Evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping trade flows. Hostilities in the Middle East are disrupting airspace and adding operational complexity. The operating environment is becoming more uncertain — not less,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo at the opening of the IATA WCS.
The Association highlighted three priorities for the global air cargo industry: Accelerating digitalization, with ONE Record, the standard for end-to-end cargo data sharing, and becoming the preferred method for cargo data exchange. Strengthening global standards, including regulations regarding Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), and allocating airport slots. Continuing to focus on safety and security, including dangerous goods safety, and cargo security. “Air cargo plays a critical role in connecting businesses to global markets and keeping supply chains moving, even as the operating environment becomes more complex. With so many external events affecting global supply chains—including tariff and geopolitical shocks—it is important that we work to build resilience in areas we can control or influence. Working together to strengthen digitalization, global standards, and supply chain security will position air cargo well to continue supporting economic growth by connecting products to markets,” Sullivan said.
