Global air cargo volumes declined in the week to April 5, but freight rates continued to rise, underlining ongoing supply pressures linked to disruption in the Middle East, according to WorldACD Market Data.
Total tonnage fell 4% week-on-week, with most regions recording declines partly due to the Easter period. Volumes dropped by 3% in Asia Pacific and 9% in the Americas, while the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) was the only region to post growth.
Despite softer demand, global air freight rates rose 4% week-on-week to an average of $3.10 per kilogram, leaving pricing 21% higher year-on-year. Gains were driven by increases from North America, Asia Pacific and Africa, offsetting declines in Europe and Latin America. Pricing remained particularly elevated in the Middle East, where rates are up 59% year-on-year.
The MESA region continued to show resilience, with cargo volumes rising 10% week-on-week and 11% year-on-year. However, capacity remains severely constrained, still more than 50% below pre-conflict levels, while tonnage is around 40% lower than before hostilities began, reflecting the ongoing disruption to regional supply chains.
The data also highlights a broader slowdown in March, when global air cargo volumes fell 4% year-on-year after growth earlier in the year. The Middle East saw the sharpest contraction, down 21%, with spillover effects hitting Africa (-13%), Europe (-5%) and Asia Pacific (-4%). At the same time, capacity shortages and higher fuel and war-risk costs pushed global pricing 12% higher year-on-year during the month.
While a ceasefire has raised hopes of stabilisation, industry conditions remain fragile. Limited capacity through Middle Eastern hubs and ongoing uncertainty around fuel supply are expected to keep rates elevated, with a return to pre-conflict cargo flows likely to take time.