Global air cargo volumes climbed in January 2026 despite a notable slowdown in China’s e-commerce exports, signalling a mixed start to the year for the air freight industry. According to recent market data, total global air cargo demand was up around 7 % year-on-year in January, driven in part by seasonal factors such as an earlier-than-usual Lunar New Year and broader demand across key trade lanes.
Industry analysts highlighted that while overall volumes rose, China’s e-commerce export shipments fell for the first time since January 2022, reflecting softening consumer-driven traffic on traditionally strong routes out of Asia. This represents a shift in the pattern of global air freight flows, as Chinese cross-border online retail shipments have historically been a major driver of cargo demand.
Despite the drop in e-commerce-related volumes, carriers and forwarders pointed to stabilising freight rates and resilient underlying demand as positive signs for the broader market. Growth in other regions and trade corridors helped offset the China-linked weakness, supporting overall volume gains.
Market observers caution, however, that continued shifts in e-commerce dynamics—and evolving global economic conditions—could influence air cargo performance later in the year, even as early 2026 volume figures show a promising start.