An earlier Lunar New Year flattered global air cargo demand in January as the year commenced with unexpected vigour with a +7% year-on-year boost in demand and an easing of recent freight rate declines, but any early market optimism for 2026 was dampened by the first year-on-year fall in e-commerce exports from China since January 2022, according to industry analysts Xeneta. The growth in global chargeable weight in the opening month of 2026 was the strongest increase since January 2025, and … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Early Lunar New Year flatters to deceive as global air cargo volumes rise +7% in January, but China’s e-commerce exports down for the first time since 2022
ANALYSIS
DHL Hong Kong Air Trade Leading Index Q1 2026 signals cautious optimism for global air trade
The DHL Hong Kong Air Trade Leading Index (DTI) has released its Q1 2026 results, providing an updated outlook on air trade sentiment and underlying market trends. Key highlights of Q1 2026 include: The Overall Air Trade Index remained stable in Q1 2026, signalling trade resilience and alignment with the indices’ recent performance. This stability underscores air traders’ continued confidence despite external uncertainties. Sentiment remains cautiously optimistic. Two-thirds of air … [Read more...] about DHL Hong Kong Air Trade Leading Index Q1 2026 signals cautious optimism for global air trade
Xeneta: Air cargo ends a tumultuous 2025 with +6% volume growth in December, but less buoyant e-commerce signals cloud the horizon
Global air cargo demand finished a tumultuous 2025 on a high, with volumes up +6% year-on-year in December, but flatlining e-commerce shipments ex-China will create concern for airlines and forwarders reliant on consumers’ online buying sprees, say industry analysts Xeneta. Better-than-expected volumes over the last quarter of the year helped air cargo demand record +4% growth in chargeable weight year-on-year for 2025, reflecting many shippers’ willingness to shift away from other modes to the … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Air cargo ends a tumultuous 2025 with +6% volume growth in December, but less buoyant e-commerce signals cloud the horizon
Neste revises some of its climate targets
Neste, the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), revises some of its climate targets due to the company’s current financial position and streamlined investment portfolio. Reaching the original climate targets by the previously communicated, very ambitious target years would have required significant investments that are currently not realistic. Neste continues to drive growth in renewable fuels, providing alternatives to fossil fuels to mitigate … [Read more...] about Neste revises some of its climate targets
Standardising air cargo quality through data and collaboration with Cargo iQ
Air cargo hubs operate in a fast-paced, complex environment where quality management is crucial—but not always straightforward. In this Q&A, Marie Seco-Köppen, Executive Director of Cargo iQ, explains how the coalition of air cargo stakeholders is working to bring consistency to how quality is measured across hubs, gateways, and regional airports. While specific examples are often confidential, the approach is clear: rely on consistent performance metrics and embrace digital tools, and … [Read more...] about Standardising air cargo quality through data and collaboration with Cargo iQ
Xeneta: Volumes up +5% in November, but air cargo’s e-commerce ‘growth engine’ is slowing down
Christmas came early for global air cargo volumes in November with a further +5% year-on-year boost in demand adding to the seasonal cheer, but the industry’s e-commerce ‘growth engine’ of the past two years is slowing down, according to the latest market analysis from Xeneta. While the demand outlook for the traditionally busiest time of year looked flat heading into the last four months of 2025, September and October’s demand levels were surprisingly robust at +3% and +4% year-on-year, … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Volumes up +5% in November, but air cargo’s e-commerce ‘growth engine’ is slowing down








