Global air cargo tonnages rebounded with a 6 percent week-on-week increase in week 42 (13 to 19 October), according to the latest weekly figures from WorldACD Market Data, driven by a strong recovery in traffic from Asia Pacific origins following the end of China’s Golden Week holiday period and other holidays in Asia.
After a 3 percent decline the previous week due to China’s Mid-Autumn Festival and national holidays in Taiwan and South Korea, this rebound was stronger than in the same week last year. Tonnages from Asia Pacific rose by 14 percent week-on-week after falling 9 percent previously, putting them 8 percent higher than in week 42 last year.
Excluding this Asia Pacific uplift, worldwide tonnage growth would have been just 1 percent.
Average worldwide rates also returned to pre-holiday levels, recording a 3 percent week-on-week increase to 2.48 U.S. dollars per kilo, mainly due to a 2 percent rise in Asia Pacific origin rates and a higher share of high-yield cargo. While this slightly exceeds late-September levels (2.45 U.S. dollars), it remains 4 percent lower than in week 42 last year.
Spot rates followed a similar trend, increasing 2 percent week-on-week to 2.66 U.S. dollars per kilo, although still down 3 percent year-on-year.
Asia Recovery Dominates Market Movement
Tonnages from Asia Pacific to the U.S. surged 17 percent week-on-week, with exceptional rebounds from:
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China: +24 percent
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Hong Kong: +22 percent
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Taiwan: +24 percent
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South Korea: +96 percent
South Korea’s sharp rise follows its Chuseok (5–8 October) and Hangeul Day (9 October) national holidays.
Asia Pacific to Europe tonnages also rose by 14 percent week-on-week.
For China and Hong Kong, volumes to the U.S. remain below 2024 levels, while volumes to Europe are now higher — reflecting a shift in e-commerce flows due to the removal of de minimis exemptions for low-value U.S. imports from China.
China–U.S. Spot Rates Hit Six-Month High
After dropping 4 percent the week before, spot rates from Asia Pacific to the U.S. rose 7 percent week-on-week in week 42. The highest jumps were from:
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China: +19 percent (to 4.90 U.S. dollars per kilo – a six-month high)
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Japan: +16 percent
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Taiwan: +7 percent
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South Korea: +6 percent
These increases signal tightening capacity, likely driven by shippers front-loading ahead of new U.S. import tariffs expected next month.
India–U.S. Lane Volatile Amid Tariff and Holiday Pressures
The India–U.S. market continues to see volatility. Following two weeks of decline, tonnages rebounded 13 percent week-on-week in week 42, ahead of Diwali (20–21 October), putting the route 2 percent higher year-on-year.
India–Europe traffic also saw a 9 percent weekly rise, bringing it to 11 percent above the same week in 2024.
