The global air cargo market is showing signs of recovery during the second full week of March. According to weekly data released by WorldACD Market Data, in week 11 of 2025, from 10 to 16 March, transported volumes increased by 1% compared to the previous week, marking a 3% rise on the same period last year. This represents a positive and steady trend, as the global market gradually emerges from the usual seasonal lull linked to the Chinese New Year.
Leading the growth is the Asia-Pacific region, which has experienced a strong rebound in volumes destined for Europe and North America. Using a fortnightly comparison, shipments from Asia-Pacific rose by 13% to Europe and 10% to the United States, reversing the slowdown seen immediately after the holiday period. Key markets in the region, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, posted significant increases, with particularly sharp rises from South Korea, which regained ground following a marked drop the previous week.
In week 11 alone, traffic from Asia-Pacific to Europe rose by 7%, marking the fifth consecutive weekly increase and reaching the highest level since the start of the year. Although volumes remain 10% below the mid-December peak, the upward trajectory appears solid. The trend is similar for the United States: a fifth consecutive week of growth, with broad-based increases from all major exporting countries in the region.
The only region to record a decline is the Middle East and South Asia. Here, weekly volumes fell by 4%, a drop partly attributed to business closures for the Indian festival of Holi, celebrated between 13 and 14 March. However, over a two-week period, total volumes remained broadly stable compared to the previous fortnight, with a slight decrease in traffic to Europe and a clear rise towards the Asia-Pacific region.
On the pricing front, average global rates rose by 3% in week 11, reaching 2.37 US dollars per kilo. This represents a 2% increase on the same week in 2024. Spot rates from Asia-Pacific to Europe remained stable, averaging 3.92 dollars per kilo. Notably, rates from China to Europe fell by 2% to 3.87 dollars per kilo, the fifth consecutive weekly decline. However, on a yearly basis, rates on this route are still up by 16%, with notable increases also recorded from Hong Kong and Japan.
For routes to the United States, spot rates stood at 4.91 dollars per kilo, a slight weekly decline but still 11% higher than the same period last year. Nationally, differences are evident: sharp price hikes were reported from China and South Korea, both up by 15%, while Japan and Vietnam posted notable decreases.
Overall, the picture outlined by WorldACD suggests a market in a phase of consolidation, with encouraging signs on both the demand and pricing fronts. Asia remains the driving force behind the global recovery, while regional fluctuations, influenced by holidays or local factors, continue to affect short-term trends.
