Air freight rates from Bangladesh have surged sharply, with exporters reporting that prices have tripled as congestion and disruptions hit key regional air cargo hubs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Industry sources said the disruptions have constrained cargo handling capacity at major transit airports that typically handle shipments from Bangladesh to global markets. The bottlenecks have forced exporters and freight forwarders to compete for limited cargo space, pushing up rates significantly.
Bangladesh relies heavily on air cargo for time-sensitive exports such as garments, pharmaceuticals and high-value electronics. A large share of shipments from the country’s main gateway, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, are routed through regional hubs before reaching destinations in Europe and North America.
Freight forwarders said cargo space on available flights has become scarce, while rerouting through alternative airports has added to transit times and logistics costs. Some exporters have also been forced to delay shipments due to the limited availability of aircraft capacity.
The sharp rise in freight rates is placing pressure on Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly the ready-made garment sector, which depends on reliable air cargo services for urgent orders and replenishment shipments.
Logistics experts said the situation may remain volatile until operations stabilise at affected hubs and airlines restore normal cargo capacity. In the meantime, exporters are exploring alternative routing options and adjusting shipping schedules to manage the disruptions.
