International air cargo traffic across Latin America and the Caribbean saw a 3.3% year-on-year increase in May 2026, with total volumes reaching 343,966 metric tons. This growth was largely propelled by strong performances in Brazil and Colombia. Brazil, in particular, registered its second-highest monthly volume on record, handling 82,371 tons, with significant growth in trade lanes to Germany and Colombia.
Conversely, Mexico experienced another month of declining air cargo volumes, contrasting with the positive trends observed in other major regional economies. This mixed performance highlights varying economic conditions and trade dynamics within the Latin American and Caribbean air cargo market.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this data indicates robust demand in key South American markets like Brazil and Colombia, potentially leading to increased capacity utilization and stable or slightly rising rates on routes connecting these countries to major global hubs, particularly Germany. However, the continued decline in Mexico suggests a need for careful capacity planning and potentially more competitive pricing strategies for airfreight services to and from that market. Forwarders should monitor specific trade lanes within the region to identify opportunities and challenges.
