31 Jan 2025

Air Cargo Demand Hits Record High in 2024

Air cargo demand in 2024 has surpassed the record volumes of 2021 by 0.5%, driven by high e-commerce activity and constraints in ocean shipping. According to full-year data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand in 2024, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 11.3% compared to 2023. Despite this growth, full-year yields were […]

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30 Jan 2025

Air Cargo at a Crossroads: Adapting to Volatility in an Uncertain Market

The air cargo sector must learn to “embrace volatility,” according to industry analysts who spoke at the World Cargo Summit in Ostend on January 28. Experts highlighted both the strong tailwinds driving growth and the significant headwinds threatening disruption. Ludwig Hausmann, senior partner at consulting firm McKinsey & Co, underscored the industry’s rapid expansion, citing […]

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24 Jan 2025

Asia Pacific Air Cargo Demand Holds Steady Despite Seasonal Slowdown

The post-peak season decline in air cargo demand from the Asia Pacific region has not been as severe as initially feared, according to data provider WorldACD. WorldACD analyzed the drop in demand between the December peak and the early January low after concerns arose among air cargo industry executives about the extent of the decline, […]

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17 Jan 2025

CBP Unveils Tougher De Minimis Rules to Combat E-Commerce Challenges

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced plans to revise de minimis rules in response to the surge in e-commerce shipments, aiming to streamline administrative processes and crack down on illegal goods entering the U.S. The proposed changes, revealed yesterday, include mandatory submission of additional shipment information and the establishment of a fully electronic […]

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15 Jan 2025

E-Commerce Shifts: From Air to Sea Freight

E-commerce shipments to the US are showing signs of a shift from air cargo to sea freight, with potential changes to de minimis rules likely to accelerate this trend. This perspective was highlighted during Freightos’ “Global Freight Outlook” webinar, which explored how actions by the incoming Trump administration might impact e-commerce airfreight. Currently, de minimis […]

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15 Jan 2025

Air Cargo Soars: 2024 Growth and Challenges

Air cargo capacity experienced significant growth last year, with double-digit percentage increases, driven by a recovery in bellyhold capacity and sustained high levels of freighter space compared to pre-Covid benchmarks. According to data provider and consultant Rotate, total air cargo capacity in 2024, measured in airfreight tonne kilometers (ATKs), rose by 10% year-on-year to reach […]

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12 Dec 2024

Air Cargo Soars to New Heights, but 2025 Clouds Loom Ahead

Air cargo demand continued its upward trajectory in October, marking 15 straight months of growth. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne km (CTK), increased by 9.8% year-over-year (y/y). Capacity also rose, growing 5.9% y/y, with the cargo load factor increasing 1.7 percentage points to reach […]

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04 Dec 2024

Global Air Freight Soars: Peak Season Drives Rates and Demand to New Heights

The global air cargo market entered its peak shipping season this week, with demand surging past available capacity, pushing rates on key trade lanes to new highs for 2024. Asian export routes and the trans-Atlantic corridor are experiencing particularly sharp rate increases, reflecting strong demand and limited supply. Spot rates for Shanghai to North Europe […]

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14 Nov 2024

Air Cargo’s ‘Wait and See’ Stance: Navigating US Tariffs and a Promising 2025 Demand Forecast

The air cargo sector is adopting a cautious “wait and see” stance regarding the possible impact of new US tariffs and heightened regulatory scrutiny for e-commerce shipments. This sentiment was echoed during the Tiaca Air Cargo Forum, where industry leaders discussed how anticipated policy changes could reshape the market. At the forum, Tiaca’s executive director […]

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07 Nov 2024

Trump’s Trade Policies Poised to Hit E-Commerce Air Cargo Hard

The air cargo industry may face significant setbacks if the new U.S. administration, potentially led by Donald Trump, enforces stricter regulations on low-value e-commerce shipments, as industry experts anticipate. Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, suggests that changes could come to the “de minimis” exemption, which currently allows imports valued under $800 to bypass […]

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