With uncertainty around new tariffs between the U.S. and China, many shippers are holding back on placing new orders.

A geopolitical realignment is quietly transforming which airports matter, which trade lanes grow, and where the world's most valuable cargo takes flight.

AI cargo demand and Middle East airspace issues push costs up, while shippers turn to China–Europe rail as an alternative to delays and tight space

Recent surge in spot rates in early March is driven by shippers moving goods before the quarter-end.

The 90-day U.S. tariff pause ends on July 9, creating major uncertainty in demand forecasts.

In its October 2025 Asia-Pacific Freight Market Report, Dimerco urged shippers to plan early to manage lead times and costs.

Gap between air and ocean freight rates has narrowed significantly amid ongoing supply chain challenges

Report highlights cautious demand, heavy use of blank sailings, slowing e-commerce, and a sharp risk of volatility after factory shutdowns.

Capacity constraints, shifting trade lanes and high-value cargo reshape air freight.

Intra-Asia traffic remains strong, particularly from China to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Fuel price spikes and disruptions tighten air cargo capacity, pushing rates higher and adding cost pressure for shippers

According to Dimerco’s latest Asia-Pacific Freight Market Report, airfreight is benefiting from a surge in high-value technology exports.

Dimerco sees revenue climb 12% in April 2026 as AI cargo drives air freight. Middle East tensions and new US Customs rules reshuffle global supply chains.

E-commerce growth, tech launches, and US aluminium shortages fuel strong Transpacific air freight demand in November.

As shifting supply chains and tariff headwinds reshape global trade, Southeast Asia is emerging as the new epicentre of air cargo demand, but with growth comes turbulence in capacity and pricing.

AI and semiconductor shipments are pushing Asia-US airfreight load factors to about 90%, while Taiwan and South Korea face tight capacity and rising rates across key corridors.

According to the March 2026 Asia Pacific freight report by Dimerco, the air freight market remained soft before and during the Chinese New Year period compared with previous years, with freight rates trending on the lower side.

"This transition is expected to reduce air freight demand, with more shipments moving to ocean freight."

Though the market typically slows down after December 5, there's been a significant uptick in air cargo volumes this year from mid-December, which is expected to extend to late January.

"To mitigate potential cost increases, companies are anticipated to ramp up inventory levels over the next 2-3 months."

Disruptions in maritime chokepoints increase air cargo demand due to delays, congestion, and higher sea freight costs.

Dimerco’s weekly air cargo freighter service from Shanghai to Chicago runs from September 12 to December 5.

More less-than-container-load (LCL) sea shipments will switch to air freight starting in June

Shipping expert Lars Jensen explains why the usual pre-Chinese New Year rate spike may arrive later than expected. With Chinese New Year falling on 17 February 2025, carriers could see sliding or weak spot rates through November instead of the usual early-season pickup. Clip from The Big Interview – Freight Buyers Club EP54, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. #ContainerShipping #LarsJensen #FreightBuyersClub #DimercoExpressGroup #ShippingRates #ChineseNewYear