Airfreight Insights

Get the latest update on the global airfreight industry, current trade and rate developments, and the flexible solutions offered by cargo-partner to address ongoing challenges.

• IATA’s latest forecast for 2026 is optimistic: It expects air cargo volumes to increase to 2.4% year on year.

• Air cargo volumes are expected to reach over 71 million t this year, due to a resilient market, in spite of the challenges the market has faced lately.

• Cargo revenue is forecasted to grow by 2.1 %, reaching 124.8 billion EUR in 2026. Revenue will be driven by time-sensitive shipments and e-commerce volumes.

• Year on year, air cargo volumes between Asia and Europe (and vice versa) increased by 11.7%, making this the strongest-performing intercontinental trade lane.

• There has been a notable increase in Europe-bound cargo from Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Thailand.

• Air cargo capacity is expected to remain under pressure in the coming years due to the backlog of ordered aircraft. Statistics show that there are more than 17,000 pending aircraft orders, exceeding the annual production capacity by a factor of 11.

• In 2025, SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) usage represents only 0.6% of total jet fuel consumption, while IATA has set a target of 60% by 2050 to achieve “net-zero” emissions. Contact us if you are interested in shipments with SAF.

Current market assessment from January 21, 2026:

Current Key Takeaways

Short-Term Outlook (Next 6-12 Weeks)

• Europe → Asia: Demand remains steady due to inventory replenishment, but rates are still very low due to an excess of available cargo space.

• Asia → Europe: After the Christmas holiday period, volumes and rates are currently on an upward trend. Furthermore, the market is expected to become busy again before Chinese New Year in mid-February.

• Europe → North America: Although demand has been steady, the near-term outlook remains difficult to predict, especially given the current US government’s erratic trade policy.

Practical Recommendations for Customers

• Book early for cargo of Asian origin. Space is tightening, especially for e-commerce and express freight. Early bookings secure better rates and routing options.

• Use a diverse procurement strategy

• Consider multi-modal options if beneficial (Sea-Air, Rail)

• Plan for weather-related delays. Allow extra time for shipments through northern hubs, where winter conditions may cause disruptions.

• Coordinate and share shipment forecasts early with your forwarder to ensure secured lift and capacity prioritization.

cargo-partner Key Gateways

• Dual gateway VIE/BUD to cover the Central and Eastern European region

• Coverage of China by our gateways in South, Central and North China

• Our gateways offer extensive connectivity and advanced infrastructure

• Dedicated gateway teams in Europe and Asia ensure streamlined operations 

• Benefit from regular consolidation programs with competitive pricing