Air cargo volumes rebound and pricing stabilises
Global air freight has entered 2026 on a firmer footing than many expected. After the traditional year-end slowdown, markets reopened with a sharp rebound in volumes, signalling that demand remains resilient even as peak-season pressures ease and capacity gradually returns.
Early January data points to a clear reset rather than a slowdown. Worldwide air cargo tonnage surged by more than 25% week on week in the first full trading week of the year, reversing December’s seasonal dip. Compared with the same period last year, chargeable weight was around 5% higher, indicating a stronger underlying start to the year across global supply chains.
Asia drives the early-year recovery
Asia Pacific once again led the rebound, accounting for the largest share of incremental volumes. Year-on-year growth from the region was close to 8%, broadly in line with the full-year trend seen through 2025.
On Asia–US lanes, volumes increased by around 10% year on year, with Southeast Asia contributing most of the growth while China and Hong Kong remained broadly flat. This points to a more diversified Asian export base rather than a single-market surge. Asia–Europe flows were even stronger, rising by approximately 15% year on year, supported by increased shipments from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand as European demand continues to build.
Outside Asia, double-digit growth from the Middle East and South Asia on both Europe- and US-bound routes highlights the breadth of the recovery as 2026 gets underway.
Rates ease post-peak but remain supported
Pricing tells a similarly balanced story. Outbound air freight rates from Asia strengthened steadily into December, lifted by year-end demand and sustained e-commerce flows. Month on month, Asia–US spot rates rose by nearly 7%, while Asia–Europe pricing increased by close to 9%, delivering the strongest monthly averages of the year on both corridors.
While rates softened over the holiday period, they closed the year only marginally below December 2024 levels. This suggests that the 2025 peak was solid but less aggressive than the year before, with Asia–Europe lanes proving more resilient than Asia–US as e-commerce demand tilts increasingly towards European consumers.
As capacity returns, including a more than 15% week-on-week increase in freighter supply in early January, average rates remain slightly ahead of the same point last year—reinforcing that current adjustments are seasonal rather than structural.
Planning, visibility and execution matter most
In this environment, securing lift and maintaining service reliability depends on proactive planning and clear visibility. Logicall continuously monitors capacity shifts, adjusts routings and works closely with trusted carrier partners to keep cargo moving smoothly as conditions evolve.
Logicall’s digital platform strengthens control and confidence through:
• Real-time shipment tracking
• Accurate departure and arrival confirmations
• Live milestone updates as events unfold
This end-to-end visibility enables customers to plan with certainty, optimise inventory and protect service levels—even as air freight markets transition out of peak season.
Contact Logicall today to discuss smarter, faster and more resilient air freight solutions, powered by live data, experienced teams and long-standing carrier relationships.