Air transport scarcity due to the Iran war is driving up shipping rates and other emergency fees for shippers, who are working to divert urgent freight around the conflict zone.
The airline industry’s largest trade association is predicting much slower cargo growth in 2025 as rising tariffs dampen trade activity or shift it to ocean transport.
January is normally a slow month for international airfreight, but demand and rates are holding up after the holiday peak season as shippers pull forward orders from China to avoid tariffs and manufacturing delays.
The air logistics sector has been riding high all year, but market watchers caution that growth in 2025 could slow sharply.
The air cargo market has enjoyed a banner year, but the peak shipping season is less pronounced.
Air cargo professionals are bullish about the second half of the year as the traditional peak season approaches, but uncertainty remains about how the market will play out.
The air cargo market is maintaining momentum despite entering the slow season, thanks to strong demand for e-commerce and e-cigarettes out of China and a mode shift tied to the Suez Canal cutoff.
The air cargo logistics sector is enjoying good volume growth so far this year, but it remains to be seen if the new momentum can be sustained.
The air cargo sector was banking on a turnaround in market conditions by this fall, but it might have to wait until late next year unless demand unexpectedly revives.
The decline of air cargo is less severe than earlier this year, but a bearish case for a counter-seasonal, second-half dip is gaining momentum as freight forwarders undercut each other on prices to win customers.
Cargo airlines and third-party logistics providers are crossing their fingers for a resurgence of air shipments by October. But indications are increasing that the peak season may go out with a whimper.
IATA forecast suggests weak airfreight demand will continue without peak-season rebound
Recovery from the recession in airfreight transportation looks like it will be drawn out over the next year — and very slight when it does happen.
Canadian air cargo company Cargojet is searching under every rock for savings to maintain profit levels as shipping demand deteriorates.
Air cargo professionals hope demand has hit bottom and will start to improve soon, but there could be further downside if some barometers are true.
A multitude of mixed economic signals make it difficult to predict a recovery in air cargo business this year. Even if global trade picks up, the lion’s share of shipments will go by ocean.
A year ago, shippers were in scrums to find cargo space on airlines. The market has softened considerably and 2023 could see more declines before things get better.
Freight management companies are not making long-term shipping commitments with airlines to avoid getting stuck with unneeded bookings.
China Southern Airlines has joined the Freightos air cargo booking platform. It’s the first time an airline in China has participated in an online freight market.
The peak season for air shipping failed to materialize this year, but realistically volumes and rates are just normalizing after a crazy two-year rush.
