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

Global air cargo volume growth slowed in October but still recorded a stronger than expected +4% rise year-on-year, despite the easing of frontloading of imports by businesses countering the cost of tariffs and effects of the US de minimis ban, according to industry analysts Xeneta. The latest monthly data supports Xeneta’s forecast in September of an overall +3-4% growth in demand for 2025, but more worrying trends indicate challenging times ahead for airlines and freight forwarders as the … [Read more...] about Xeneta: October air cargo volumes surprise with +4% growth, but is Europe-North America slump a ‘bellwether for global trade’?

The global air cargo market is on course for +3-4% growth in demand in 2025 based on current trading conditions, but after unexpectedly high volumes over the summer, September’s data showed signs of growth slowing heading into the final quarter of the year, according to industry analysts Xeneta.  At what would traditionally be seen as the commencement of the peak season for air cargo volumes, demand growth slowed to +3% year-on-year – on a par with growth in capacity - in September following … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Air cargo demand slows into Q4, but 2025 set for 3–4% growth despite trade turbulence

A surprise summer of growth in global air cargo volumes showed no sign of abating in August as demand rose +5% year-on-year for a second consecutive month, but falling spot rates are likely to be a more telling indicator of the market outlook as shippers, airlines, and forwarders continue to battle against economic uncertainty, say industry analysts, Xeneta. Despite the rise in cargo volumes, alongside a similar +4% year-on-year growth in capacity supply, the average global spot rate fell for a … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Air cargo ‘riding the wave of economic uncertainty’ as August records another 5% year-on-year growth in demand

Global air cargo volumes jumped +5% year-on-year in July as more shippers opted for the speed of airfreight to help circumvent U.S. tariffs, according to the latest market analysis by Xeneta. Market sentiment, however, remains subdued as tariff talks in Washington remain in flux, with a new deadline now set for 7 August for a broad range of trading partners. The lack of clarity continues to cast a shadow over global trade flows, particularly in the airfreight sector. Contrary to the usual … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Air cargo volumes see a surprise 5% jump in July as shippers circumventing tariffs opted for speed

Global air cargo spot rates declined for a second consecutive month in June, down -4% year-on-year as supply of capacity overtook demand for the first time in 19 months, and concerns over a more challenging second half of 2025 rose on the back of uncertainty over the prospects for international trade, according to new data from industry analysts Xeneta. Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s Chief Airfreight Officer, called this market performance ‘unsurprising,’ adding that while politicians are … [Read more...] about Xeneta: Consumers’ ‘voting with their wallets’ as air cargo market prepares for long-term effect of uncertainty