Global air cargo demand rose for a sixth consecutive month in August, but growth slowed to 4.1 per cent year-on-year, with Southeast Asia emerging as a key driver, reported New York's Sourcing Journal.
According to IATA, international cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs) grew 5.1 per cent, while seasonally adjusted CTKs rose 3.9 per cent, down from July's 5 per cent. Asia-to-North America volumes fell 2.2 per cent, marking the steepest decline among tracked routes.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said air cargo has benefitted from a modal shift away from sea transport for high-value goods amid tariff uncertainty. Growth is now concentrated on Europe-Asia, intra-Asia, Africa-Asia and Middle East-Asia lanes.
Front-loading ahead of US trade deadlines and the scrapping of the de minimis provision helped stabilise July and August volumes. However, postal delivery pauses and tariff pressures are expected to dampen US-bound cargo during the September-November peak.
WorldACD data shows China and Hong Kong tonnages to the US fell five to eight per cent in early September, while India-to-US volumes dropped 10 to 13 per cent. In contrast, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore saw double-digit growth.
Dimerco's Kathy Liu said rising tech and semiconductor exports from Southeast Asia are driving demand, with capacity pressure expected at hubs including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea.
Typhoon Ragasa caused flight cancellations in South China, tightening capacity out of Hong Kong. Rates to the US may rise in October due to Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and reduced airline capacity during Golden Week.
The US government shutdown has raised concerns among freight forwarders. Brandon Fried of the Airforwarders Association warned of delays and added costs due to strained air traffic control and federal aviation staffing. He urged swift resolution.
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According to IATA, international cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs) grew 5.1 per cent, while seasonally adjusted CTKs rose 3.9 per cent, down from July's 5 per cent. Asia-to-North America volumes fell 2.2 per cent, marking the steepest decline among tracked routes.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said air cargo has benefitted from a modal shift away from sea transport for high-value goods amid tariff uncertainty. Growth is now concentrated on Europe-Asia, intra-Asia, Africa-Asia and Middle East-Asia lanes.
Front-loading ahead of US trade deadlines and the scrapping of the de minimis provision helped stabilise July and August volumes. However, postal delivery pauses and tariff pressures are expected to dampen US-bound cargo during the September-November peak.
WorldACD data shows China and Hong Kong tonnages to the US fell five to eight per cent in early September, while India-to-US volumes dropped 10 to 13 per cent. In contrast, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore saw double-digit growth.
Dimerco's Kathy Liu said rising tech and semiconductor exports from Southeast Asia are driving demand, with capacity pressure expected at hubs including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea.
Typhoon Ragasa caused flight cancellations in South China, tightening capacity out of Hong Kong. Rates to the US may rise in October due to Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and reduced airline capacity during Golden Week.
The US government shutdown has raised concerns among freight forwarders. Brandon Fried of the Airforwarders Association warned of delays and added costs due to strained air traffic control and federal aviation staffing. He urged swift resolution.
SeaNews Turkey
