Lima - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today released a report (pdf), showing air cargo’s vital role in sustaining global trade and supporting economic growth in 2025 amid severe trade policy uncertainty. Two key report findings are that:
• Air cargo enabled the frontloading of $157 billion US imports in the first quarter of 2025.
• Air cargo 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 initial forecasts by the World Trade Organization. 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.
Frontloading Surge
In 2025, average applied US tariff rates rose to around 17%—their highest level since the 1930s—with frequent policy shifts and increased trade friction. Many companies used air cargo to pre-empt tariffs by accelerating shipments. (....)