Air cargo volumes from the Asia-Pacific region rebounded sharply in the second full week of May following the disruption caused by national holidays across East Asia earlier in the month, according to new figures from WorldACD.
Data covering the week from 11 to 17 May showed chargeable weight from Asia-Pacific origins rose by 11% week-on-week, returning volumes to levels recorded before the Labour Day holiday period in China and national holidays in Japan and South Korea.
The recovery exactly matched the rebound recorded during the same period last year.
The increase in Asia-Pacific traffic helped lift global air cargo tonnages by 3% week-on-week, leaving worldwide volumes 2% higher than the same period in 2025.
Other regions, however, recorded declines.
Cargo volumes from Central and South America and North America both fell by 5% week-on-week, while European tonnages declined by 3%.
The reduction in Central and South American volumes reflected the end of the seasonal flower export surge linked to Mother’s Day demand in the United States and Canada.
In Europe, Ascension Day holidays also affected freight activity.
The Middle East and South Asia region recorded a modest 1% weekly increase in cargo volumes.
Despite the rebound in shipments from Asia-Pacific, global spot rates remained broadly stable during the week.
WorldACD said average worldwide spot rates stood at $3.67 (£2.71) per kilogramme, unchanged week-on-week but still 48% higher than the same week last year.
Contract rates rose by 2%, driven largely by increases from North America, pushing overall global air cargo rates up 1% to an average of $3.23 per kilogram.
Worldwide air cargo capacity increased by 1% during the week, with Asia-Pacific and Middle East and South Asia both posting gains.
However, global capacity remains around 6% below levels recorded before the escalation of the conflict involving Iran earlier this year.
The largest shortfall continues to affect the Gulf region, where capacity remains almost half pre-conflict levels.
WorldACD said plans by major Gulf airlines to restore additional capacity had stalled following further drone attacks linked to Iran and its regional proxies.
Recent incidents included a strike on the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates on 4 May and another drone attack targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant on 17 May.
The report said uncertainty surrounding the regional conflict continued to affect airline operations and cargo capacity planning.
One area of improvement for the aviation industry has been a decline in jet fuel prices.
Jet fuel costs fell to around $162 per barrel in the week ending 15 May, down from a peak of $209 per barrel in early April.
The decline of more than 20% has eased concerns over severe global fuel shortages and reduced pressure for further significant increases in air cargo pricing.
However, fuel prices remain around 80% higher than a year ago, and shortages in some regions continue to disrupt services and slow the return of cargo capacity to certain markets.
