The month of November confirms that air freight has definitively turned the page on the crisis: global volumes have once again increased, driven by strong demand on the main long-haul routes. According to market data, global demand increased by about 5% compared to last year, with particularly strong momentum from Asia to North America and Europe.
Paradoxically, this increase in tonnage is not reflected in prices: average rates per kilogram have decreased by about 5%, stabilizing around .7/kg. Airlines and integrators continue to fight for market share, increasing capacities and commercial offers to fill the holds, even if it puts pressure on yields.
Another important signal for the logistics community: the e-commerce engine, which has driven the sector for several years, is showing the first signs of slowing down. Volumes related to online sales remain high, but their growth is slowing, particularly in some major Asian hubs where demand is normalizing after the peaks related to major promotional campaigns. The “express” and small parcel flows are leveling off, while B2B shipments are taking a more central place in the mix of shippers.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this context creates a window of opportunity:
• Available capacity on several corridors, • Still competitive rates, • And a supply chain under less strain than in previous years.
The most proactive players are already securing allocations and medium-term agreements to lock in favorable conditions before a potential tightening in 2026, when overall air freight demand is expected to increase. For members of The Logistic News, the period is conducive to renegotiating contracts and diversifying origins, while closely monitoring the evolution of the e-commerce segment, which remains a key barometer of the market.
