What is the difference between CTK and ACTK?

CTK counts what was carried: each tonne of cargo times the kilometres it flew. ACTK counts what was offered: each tonne of capacity times the kilometres flown. CTK divided by ACTK is the load factor.

Which region has the highest cargo load factor?

European airlines, in IATA's figures: 53.4% for 2025 and 53.0% in August 2026, against world averages of 45.7% and 46.0%.

Do freighters and passenger aircraft run at the same load factor?

No. IATA put dedicated freighters at 63.7% for 2025 and passenger aircraft bellies at 39.8%, because belly space is flown for passengers whether or not cargo fills it.

Term

Cargo load factor (CLF)

Cargo load factor (CLF) is the share of available air cargo capacity actually used, measured in tonne-kilometres: cargo tonne-kilometres flown (CTK) divided by available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK). IATA reported a global CLF of 46.0% for August 2026 and 45.7% for 2025. When capacity is short, load factors and rates rise together.

Also called CLF, air cargo load factor, CTK, ACTK, cargo tonne-kilometresUpdated 13 October 2026

How it is worked out

CLF = CTK ÷ ACTK × 100 · CTK = tonnes carried × km flown · ACTK = tonnes of capacity offered × km flown

IATA: CTK measures actual cargo traffic, ACTK measures available total cargo capacity, and CLF is the percentage of ACTKs used.

Worked example: one flight

An illustrative flight offers 60 t over 5,000 km = 300,000 ACTK · carries 27.6 t = 138,000 CTK · CLF = 138,000 ÷ 300,000 = 46%

46% is the world average IATA reported for August 2026: on average, a little under half the cargo space flown was used.

By region

Region	August 2026	Full year 2025
World	46.0%	45.7%
Europe	53.0%	53.4%
Asia-Pacific	48.6%	47.6%
Middle East	43.1%	45.1%
North America	42.0%	40.2%
Africa	36.5%	42.9%
Latin America and Caribbean	34.9%	36.0%

Load factor of airlines based in each region — IATA

Why a shipper should watch it

Load factor is how tight the market is. In April 2020, with belly capacity cut by roughly three quarters, IATA reported load factors, rates and yields all rising significantly. In August 2026 it said strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs, with yields 24.9% above a year earlier. Freighters and bellies run very differently: IATA put 2025's freighter load factor at 63.7% and the belly figure at 39.8%.

The mistake people make

Mixing up the two numbers IATA publishes. One is the level — 46.0% in August 2026. The other is the year-on-year change in percentage points — +2.0 that month. A load factor up 2 points has moved from 44% to 46%, which is a rise of about 4.5%, not 2%.

FAQ