WorldACD: Holidays slow cargo traffic but not pricing

Global traffic volume in terms of chargeable weight dropped in week 22 (25 to 31 May) by -9% week on week (WoW), largely in response to public holidays Pentecost, US Memorial Day and Eid al-Adha, a decrease that was similar to the -8% drop in volume in the same week last year. Nevertheless, pricing rose +2% WoW while capacity shrank by -1%. According to the latest weekly figures from WorldACD Market Data, volumes dropped from all regions WoW, ranging from -3% decline out of Asia Pacific and Central and South America (CSA) to drops of -20% out of Africa and -21% from the Middle East & South Asia (MESA) region. Unlike the one-day Memorial Day (USA), Pentecost in Europe, the Eid al-Adha festival lasted four days, which accounts for the steep volume decreases in MESA and Africa origin traffic. More specifically, chargeable weight from MESA to Europe fell -17% WoW, as volumes out of Dubai and Bangladesh dropped -25% and -45% respectively, while traffic from India shrank -4%. But also in the other direction the impact was notable, reflected in double-digit volume declines from Europe to MESA by -22% WoW and to Africa by -17%, respectively. Year on year (YoY) volume was down -3% overall as well as out of North America, while falling in double digit percentages out of Europe, Africa and MESA, whereas Asia Pacific and CSA registered single digit volume gains. The MESA region was also the chief dynamic behind a -1% WoW contraction in global capacity, which marked the second retreat since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, after a -2% WoW drop in week 19 triggered by the Super Golden Week in Asia Pacific and the end of the Mother’s Day flower shipment rush. While capacity was unchanged or down -1% out of all other regions, MESA showed a decline of -6% WoW. Volumes from Asia Pacific to Europe and the US slipped -2% and -1% respectively WoW, with chargeable weight down to Europe from all origins except China, Vietnam and Thailand, which show gains between +1% and +4%. Flows to the US from Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia to the US show volume gains between +2% and +4% WoW, while China exports were flat and other origins suffering declines between -2% and -9%. After the recovery of global traffic in April to +5% YoY from the slump caused by the start of the war in the Middle East the month before, growth slowed in May. The decline at the end of the month reduced growth for the full month of May to +3% YoY. Chargeable tonnage declined month on month (MoM) out of CSA (-7%) and Europe (-1%), but the other regions show MoM growth between +3% and +6%. Likewise, tonnages grew on a YoY basis out of all regions except Europe (-4%), MESA (-1%) and Africa (-4%). After five months global tonnage is up +4% Year to Date (YtD) compared to the same period in 2025, despite the disruption of the war that triggered a volume contraction in March (-3% YoY). On a YtD basis, chargeable weight shrank by -1% out of Europe and Africa, but traffic from the other regions has expanded YoY, led by +8% growth out of Asia Pacific, followed by CSA (+5%), North America (+3%) and MESA (+2%). The average global airfreight rate in week 22 climbed +2% WoW to US$3.29, as increases out of Africa (+9%), MESA (+4%) and Asia Pacific (+1%) made up for low single-digit decreases from the Americas and Europe. Year on year pricing is +35% higher, with double-digit percentage increases from all regions ranging from +11% (CSA) to +59% (MESA) and +50% (Africa). Rates from Asia Pacific to Europe and USA barely changed (up +1% WoW to both regions). Increases from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia to Europe narrowly outstripped decreases from Singapore and Indonesia, with Europe-bound pricing from the other Asian origins flat, while decreases out of Japan and Malaysia outpaced higher rates to USA from other origins. Year on year rates to Europe were up +39%, ranging from +25% (out of Hong Kong) to +79% (Thailand), with increases out of Southeast Asia at the top of the scale. Pricing from Asia Pacific to the US was up +36% YoY, with rates up between +30% and +49% out of most origins. Pricing from MESA to Europe declined -3% WoW despite a +11% jump out of Dubai, and -2% to USA, driven by a -17% drop from Dubai and a -2% slip out of India. On an annual basis rates from MESA were up +58% both to Europe and USA. Albeit at a slower rate, the upward momentum of pricing continued in May, with the overall rate for the month +1% higher than in April, driven by increases of +4% from Asia Pacific and +6% out of Africa.  This was balanced by declines elsewhere except North America (flat), led by a -7% fall of rates out of MESA. Year on year the average global rate in May was +36% higher, driven by higher pricing across the board, from +11% from CSA to +57% out of MESA. The MESA region also leads global pricing increases for the first five months of the year, which is up +17% Year to Date versus the same period in 2025. While rates from the Americas climbed in single digits, they are up +28% from MESA, +22% from Europe, +20% from Africa and +14% from Asia Pacific. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]