Air freight spot rates continued to climb in the first week of December 2025, with a global average increase of 3% compared with the previous week. The figures come from the weekly update by WorldAcd Market Data and refer to week 49, from 1 to 7 December 2025, confirming a strengthening trend in rates already seen in recent weeks.
The global average level of spot rates reached USD 3.01 per kilo, supported mainly by higher prices out of Africa, which recorded a weekly increase of 11%, and Europe, up 6%. The Asia Pacific region also contributed to the rise, with a 4% increase week on week. In contrast, Central and South America saw a weekly decline of 7%, mainly attributed to the end of the Chilean cherry export season to China, which had pushed rates higher in previous weeks.
The year-on-year comparison, however, presents a more nuanced picture. At global level, spot rates are 6% lower than in the same period of 2024, with year-on-year declines across all major origin regions except Africa, which continues to show more resilient dynamics, according to WorldAcd’s analysis.
The Asia Pacific market remains particularly noteworthy, as the past six weeks have seen a sharp acceleration in spot rates towards several destination markets. This trend continued in week 49 and was especially pronounced on the China–United States lane, one of the most volatile corridors of the year. Spot rates on this route rose by a further 8% week on week, reaching USD 6.82 per kilo, the highest level of 2025 and slightly above that recorded in the same period last year.
Looking at the overall Asia Pacific–United States flow, spot rates increased by an average of 6% week on week, reaching USD 6.32 per kilo. In addition to China, a significant contribution came from the sharp rise in rates from Japan, up 26% compared with the previous week. A similar strengthening was also observed on Asia Pacific–Europe routes, with an average weekly increase of 5% and a level of USD 4.65 per kilo, driven mainly by higher rates out of Japan and South-East Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
On the volumes side, week 49 showed overall stability for Asia Pacific–United States flows, with total tonnages unchanged from the previous week. Within the aggregate figure, however, differing trends emerged: volumes increased from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, while Thailand and Malaysia recorded a weekly decline of 8%. Overall, volumes from Asia Pacific to the United States were 6% higher than last year, for the third consecutive week.
Asia Pacific–Europe volumes performed slightly better, rising by 1% week on week, with positive contributions from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia, offset by reduced shipments from Thailand. On a year-on-year basis, these flows were up 7%, confirming structurally solid demand on routes to the European continent.
Globally, total volumes increased by 1% between weeks 48 and 49. This rise, however, was almost entirely due to the recovery of traffic out of North America following the Thanksgiving-related dip. Tonnages departing from North America increased by 15% in one week, after a 15% decline in the previous week. Without this rebound, global volumes would have remained broadly unchanged. According to WorldAcd, despite a less pronounced year-end peak compared with other years, worldwide volumes are still around 5% higher than in the same period of 2024.
The year-on-year comparison highlights significant volume growth from several origin regions. Asia Pacific recorded a 9% increase, Central and South America 8%, the Middle East and South Asia 6%, and North America 4%. Within this context, the recovery of flows from India to the United States also stands out. After the slowdown seen in the months following the introduction of higher tariffs on Indian imports into the United States, volumes on this lane have stabilised and have been above those of the same weeks in 2024 for five consecutive weeks, pointing to a gradual normalisation of demand.
