International air cargo spot rates continued to rise into the first week of December, with prices increasing by a further 3% week on week, according to the latest data from WorldACD Market Data.
Average global spot rates reached US$3.01 per kilo in week 49, covering the period from 1 to 7 December. The increase was driven mainly by higher prices from Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific origins, reflecting sustained peak-season demand across key trade lanes.
Rates from Africa recorded the strongest weekly growth, rising by 11%, while Europe saw a 6% increase and Asia Pacific was up 4% week on week. In contrast, spot prices from Central and South America fell by 7%, largely due to the end of Chile’s cherry export season, which had previously pushed rates higher on shipments to China.
Despite the recent gains, global spot rates remain around 6% lower than at the same time last year, with year-on-year declines across all major origin regions except Africa.
Asia Pacific–US and Europe lanes see sharp increases
Spot rates from Asia Pacific have risen sharply over the past six weeks, a trend that continued in week 49. On the China–US lane, prices climbed by a further 8% to US$6.82 per kilo, the highest level seen this year and slightly above last year’s rate.
Across the wider Asia Pacific–US market, average spot rates increased by 6% week on week to US$6.32 per kilo, supported by higher prices from China and a significant 26% spike in rates from Japan.
Asia Pacific–Europe routes also recorded gains, with average spot rates rising by 5% to US$4.65 per kilo. The increase was driven by higher pricing from Japan and Southeast Asian origins, including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Volumes hold steady despite regional variations
Cargo volumes on Asia Pacific–US routes were flat week on week, with strong growth from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea offset by an 8% decline in tonnage from Thailand and Malaysia. Overall, volumes from Asia Pacific remain 6% higher than a year ago for the third consecutive week.
On Asia Pacific–Europe lanes, volumes edged up by 1% week on week and are now 7% higher year on year, led by increased shipments from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Globally, air cargo tonnage rose by 1% from week 48 to week 49. This increase was largely driven by a post-Thanksgiving recovery in North America, where volumes rebounded by 15% after falling sharply the previous week. Without this recovery, worldwide volumes would have remained broadly flat.
Overall, global air cargo volumes are approximately 5% higher than at the same point last year, with particularly strong year-on-year growth from Asia Pacific, Central and South America, the Middle East and South Asia, and North America.
India–US traffic shows renewed strength
Data also indicates a recovery in air cargo volumes from India to the United States. Despite higher US import tariffs introduced earlier this year, shipments on the India–US lane have stabilised and have exceeded last year’s levels for five consecutive weeks, highlighting the resilience of demand on the route as the peak season continues.
