Air cargo traffic between Asia and North America fell in 2025 as trade tensions shifted flows towards Asia-Europe routes, IATA reports.
Air cargo traffic between Asia and North America contracted in 2025 as flows shifted toward Asia-Europe routes amid trade tensions, reports New York's Aviation Week Network.
IATA stated that Asia-Europe traffic rose by 10.3 per cent year-on-year, while Asia-North America experienced a decline of 0.8 per cent. The latter's global market share fell by 1.2 points to 23.4 per cent, while Asia-Europe's share increased by 1.1 points to 21.5 per cent.
In December, Asia-Europe traffic surged by 12.2 per cent, marking its strongest performance since 2016 and consolidating the corridor's role in moving manufacturing inputs and high-value goods. Conversely, Asia-North America demand grew by only 0.6 per cent in December, which could not offset earlier volatility, resulting in seven months of contraction in 2025.
IATA cited tariff measures and the removal of the US de minimis exemption for shipments under US$800 as key factors influencing these trends. The organization noted that policy-driven disruptions were reshaping the relevance of these corridors.
Meanwhile, Asia-Middle East traffic grew by 5.8 per cent in 2025, reflecting the region's role as a logistics bridge. Within-Asia routes surged by 10.3 per cent for the year, supported by the 'China Plus One' trend and regionalized supply chains.
Overall, Asia-Pacific airlines posted an 8.4 per cent growth in cargo ton kilometers in 2025, the strongest globally. In contrast, North American carriers saw a 1.3 per cent decline, marking the weakest performance worldwide.
