The transport companies in the Asia Pacific region recorded the highest annual growth (YOY) in March by 9.6 percent, which is much higher than 5.2 percent in the previous month. This is not surprising, given the decisive role in the region in global industrialization and its close commercial relations with both the United States and Europe. The Trade Corridor in Asia -America north grown by 7.3 percent, reflecting its reinforced contrast by -0.5 percent in February.
“The ongoing events may have contributed to reinforcement,” Iata noted, noting that pre -conflict shipments are urgent. The ability of transport companies in the Asia Pacific region increased by 11.3 percent, which exceeded the demand, but still produces a respectable loading factor (CLF) of 55.2 percent.
North America’s recovery and Europe
Northern Airlines increased 9.5 percent in international demand, increasing significantly from a decrease in 1.3 percent in February. The capacity increased by 6.1 percent, causing CLF to 51 percent, which is more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above last year. North America’s path – Europe, is one of the most dramatically trafficking ways, by 8.5 percent year on an annual basis and now showed a fixed expansion for 14 consecutive months.
European transport companies have also witnessed an improvement, with 4.5 percent growth in international kilometers for annexation (CTK) and a modest energy increase. CLF reached 62.1 percent, which is the highest in all regions.
Latin America grows steadily
Airlines in Latin America recorded a 5.8 percent increase in international demand. While the region remains a small player (only 2.5 percent of the International CTKS), it has shown fixed flexibility. The capacity increased 4.7 percent, and CLF increased by 0.5 Celsius to 45.0 percent.
Middle East and Africa
In contrast, the Middle East and Africa still face the opposite winds. Middle East transport companies witnessed a decrease per year by 3.2 percent in international demand, although this was a clear improvement in a 12.1 percent decrease in February. The capacity increased slightly (0.8 percent), but the loading factors decreased to 48.0 percent.
Africa mentioned the weakest performance in the world. CTKS decreased by 13.4 percent, while the capacity increased by 10.5 percent, prompting CLF down by 10.5 Celsius points to only 38.1 percent. This is the fourth consecutive month of the decline of Africa and Asia, which contracted with 40.2 percent on an annual basis.
The iATA data draws a lovely image of the March dynamics:
Europe – North America: +8.5 %, on the occasion of strong recovery and continuous flexibility.
Europe – Asia: +8.3 per cent, now with 25 months in a row of growth.
Asia – North America: +7.3 percent, recovery after February.
Inside Asia: +5.5 percent, keep the momentum with 17 consecutive months of gains.
Middle East – Asia: +2.9 percent, fixed but slow.
Eastern Europe -East: -7.5 %, reflecting weak flows in the wake of previous turmoil.
Inside Europe: -5.2 %, indicating structural challenges.
Africa -Asia: -40.2 percent, decreased intensity in any road.
Trade imbalances expand, especially when supply chains depend on sensitive or intense flows. The continuous contraction of the corridor of Africa and Asia reflects all the smoothness and clear competitive transformations – especially by charging the ocean.
The available goods have grown a ton of kilometers (ACTKS) by 4.3 percent in March, reflecting the demand and relieving fears of abilities. However, this represents a slowdown in an increase of 10.6 percent on an annual basis seen in March 2024. CLF has ended 47.5 percent, which is mainly flat than the previous year.
At the regional level, Europe led 59.6 percent CLF, followed by Asia and the Pacific (48.6 percent) and the Middle East (47.6 percent). North America and Latin America recorded a little higher than 40 percent, while Africa fell to 37.1 percent.
A noticeable shift in the composition of the capacity: the area that is heading to the abdomen-both in the passenger planes-recorded a high record, as it rose by 5.9 percent on an annual basis. Specialized shipping capacity grew faster, an increase of 6.4 percent, almost the restoration of the peak sizes seen in March 2021.
This represents a sharp recovery from February shrinkage in the availability of shipping (-1.2 percent) and suggests that the operators set the fleets quickly in response to the volatile demand patterns.
Mars also brought relief on the cost side. Jet fuel prices decreased by 17.3 percent year on year to $ 88.9 a barrel, on the occasion of nine consecutive months of annual decline. The decrease in the decrease in crude oil exceeded, and the crackdown on jet fuel to $ 16.3 – 26.2 percent of last March.
With the decrease in fuel and stronger demand, air cargo yields recently reflected their last downward direction, increasing by 3.8 percent on an annual basis and 6.6 percent from February.
The total environment
Global industrial production grew by 3.2 percent in March, while trade sizes expanded by 2.9 percent. These numbers are widely positive, but IATA warns of slowing the pace of expansion. Since October 2024, commercial growth has been less than 5 percent, a blatant contradiction with a two -number counterattack seen during the boom after birth.
March also witnessed the increase in trade in the first month in 2025, with a rise of 1.2 percent. Despite encouragement, it is not clear whether this represents the beginning of a new direction or a single -time reaction to external shocks.
The Purchase Manager Index (PMI) for Global Manufacturing fell to 50.49, barely above the neutral threshold, down from 51.52 in February. Export orders improved to 50.12, but IATA warns that “some of the increase may be due to companies that are accelerating to submit requests before the expected American definitions.”
Provides inflation trends stability
In advanced economies, inflation cools:
United States: 2.4 percent of the consumer price index in March (a decrease of 0.4 points).
European Union: 2.5 percent consumer price index, as it decreased.
Japan: 3.6 percent, slightly decrease.
China: -0.1 percent, are still in shrinkage but improvement of -0.7 percent.
Product price indicators (PPIS) indicate continued stability in input costs. The product price index in the United States fell to 2.8 percent, while Japan rose to 4.2 percent. The product price index in China slowed to 0.3 percent, and Europe has published 3.1 percent growth in February, with data in a march.
Next risks
While the recovery of Mars may give operators to breathe space, structural opposite winds remain: geopolitical risks rise. Trade tensions are escalating between the United States and China, and tariff fluctuations may continue. The Ocean Breight Competition, especially on the longest roads where fuel costs are more important.
The abdominal capacity recovery may lead to pressure revenue, especially on the high -end roads dominated by passengers.
It can continue in Africa and the Middle East, especially if global manufacturing slows or disrupts the energy market.
March 2025 provided the air freight sector with a boost that is needed. Size growth, return recovery, and the capacity expanded in balance with demand. But the underlying causes – geopolitical hedging – be careful instead of celebrating.
Walsh also warned, “We hope that political leaders will be able to convert commercial tensions into reliable agreements that can restore confidence in global supply chains.” Until this happens, the industry must move through fog of uncertainty, making flexibility and lightness of movement more important than ever.
About the Author
