Global air cargo volumes rose five per cent year-on-year in August, marking a second consecutive month of growth, though the outlook remains uncertain amid economic and policy shifts, reported London's Air Cargo News.
Data from Xeneta attributed the demand increase to a modal shift, with businesses opting for air transport over sea to avoid tariff risks. Capacity rose four per cent, but the dynamic load factor slipped to 56 per cent.
Average spot rates fell three per cent to US$2.55 per kg. Xeneta said spot rate trends better reflect economic conditions than volume growth, which is being driven by short-term logistics decisions rather than broader recovery.
Chief air freight officer Niall van de Wouw said the rise in demand stems from tariff uncertainty and e-commerce, not economic expansion. He warned that sustainable growth remains elusive.
Currency effects may deepen the rate decline, with the dollar down 4 per cent over the past year. A seven per cent drop in jet fuel prices may have helped offset some carrier losses.
Spot rates from Southeast Asia to North America and Europe fell 20 per cent to $4.80 and $3.05 per kg, respectively. North East Asia to North America rates dropped eight per cent to $4.76, while rates to Europe held steady at $4.01.
Transatlantic spot rates rose five per cent to $1.82 per kg, though volumes weakened later in the month due to European holidays and fading frontloading linked to Trump-era tariff extensions.
Xeneta said the US ending its de minimis exemption for low-value e-commerce goods will affect shipments from Canada, the UK and Mexico. Purchasing Managers' indices and US consumer sentiment also declined in August.
Van de Wouw said the policy change, aimed at Chinese platforms, will impact B2B more than B2C, adding cost and complexity to the supply chain. He expects lower e-commerce volumes from Europe to the US, with China potentially gaining due to lower production costs.
SeaNews Turkey
Data from Xeneta attributed the demand increase to a modal shift, with businesses opting for air transport over sea to avoid tariff risks. Capacity rose four per cent, but the dynamic load factor slipped to 56 per cent.
Average spot rates fell three per cent to US$2.55 per kg. Xeneta said spot rate trends better reflect economic conditions than volume growth, which is being driven by short-term logistics decisions rather than broader recovery.
Chief air freight officer Niall van de Wouw said the rise in demand stems from tariff uncertainty and e-commerce, not economic expansion. He warned that sustainable growth remains elusive.
Currency effects may deepen the rate decline, with the dollar down 4 per cent over the past year. A seven per cent drop in jet fuel prices may have helped offset some carrier losses.
Spot rates from Southeast Asia to North America and Europe fell 20 per cent to $4.80 and $3.05 per kg, respectively. North East Asia to North America rates dropped eight per cent to $4.76, while rates to Europe held steady at $4.01.
Transatlantic spot rates rose five per cent to $1.82 per kg, though volumes weakened later in the month due to European holidays and fading frontloading linked to Trump-era tariff extensions.
Xeneta said the US ending its de minimis exemption for low-value e-commerce goods will affect shipments from Canada, the UK and Mexico. Purchasing Managers' indices and US consumer sentiment also declined in August.
Van de Wouw said the policy change, aimed at Chinese platforms, will impact B2B more than B2C, adding cost and complexity to the supply chain. He expects lower e-commerce volumes from Europe to the US, with China potentially gaining due to lower production costs.
SeaNews Turkey
