Air cargo volumes from Hong Kong and mainland China to Europe have surged following disruption caused by super-typhoon Ragasa, according to the latest data from WorldACD.
Shipments from Hong Kong to Europe jumped by 29% in the week ending 5 October, recovering from a 19% drop the previous week when flights were cancelled due to the storm — the most powerful of the year so far. Tonnages from China to Europe also rose 6% week on week, following two weeks of declines.
The rebound was helped by recovery in services disrupted by the typhoon and the usual pre–Golden Week shipping rush in China. However, WorldACD noted that this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival traffic was partially affected by the storm, creating an uneven pattern across the region.
Elsewhere in Asia, exports from Japan to Europe climbed 13% and shipments from South Korea rose 6% — the fifth consecutive weekly increase.
Traffic to the United States was more mixed. Cargo volumes from China to the US fell 2% week on week, while tonnages from Hong Kong rose 7% after a 15% drop the previous week. Despite this partial rebound, Hong Kong–US traffic remains 16% lower than last year, reflecting the ongoing impact of US restrictions on low-value imports that have hit the e-commerce market.
Volumes from Japan and South Korea to the US also remain below 2024 levels, but strong gains from Taiwan (+62%), Vietnam (+50%), Thailand (+63%) and Malaysia (+34%) lifted overall Asia–US trade by 7% year on year.
Average air freight rates from Asia Pacific to the US stood at $4.77 per kilo in early October, down 18% year on year. Rates from Asia Pacific to Europe averaged $3.87 per kilo, 11% lower than last year, despite an 8% increase in tonnages.
WorldACD said rates from China and Taiwan were among the few to rise year on year, while significant declines were seen from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Tonnages from the Middle East and South Asia, meanwhile, fell 8% due largely to holiday-related slowdowns in India.
Globally, average air freight rates rose 3% week on week to $2.51 per kilo, driven by stronger pricing from Asia Pacific, while overall worldwide volumes dipped 2% due to declines from Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Total air cargo tonnage worldwide was 3% higher than in the same week last year, with Asia Pacific remaining the main engine of growth.
