WorldACD Weekly Air Cargo Trends – Week 20 (12–18 May)
Global air cargo tonnages rose sharply in week 20, increasing by +6% week-on-week (WoW). This rebound was largely driven by a strong recovery in volumes from Asia Pacific, helped by a temporary easing of US-China trade tensions and the return to normal activity following holidays in Japan and South Korea.
According to WorldACD Market Data, around two-thirds of the global increase came from:
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China and Hong Kong (+8%)
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Japan (+60%) – recovering after Golden Week (29 April–6 May)
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South Korea (+21%) – following Children’s Day (5 May)
These gains led to an overall +11% WoW rise in air cargo tonnage from Asia Pacific. Strong increases also came from:
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Middle East & South Asia (MESA): +11% WoW
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Europe: +6% WoW

US-China Tariff Developments and Impact
On 2 May, the US ended de minimis exemptions for low-value imports from China and Hong Kong and raised tariffs on many goods. This caused a drop in air cargo volumes and the cancellation of many transpacific freighter services.
However, a partial reversal of these measures on 12 May, including:
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Cancelling some tariffs
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Suspending others for 90 days
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Easing de minimis changes
…led to a strong rebound. Volumes from China and Hong Kong to the US jumped +19% WoW, returning close to early April levels.
At the same time, spot rates on this route stabilized at around US$4 per kilo, following a sharp spike in late April, especially out of Hong Kong.
Traffic to Europe Also Rises
Air cargo volumes from China and Hong Kong to Europe also strengthened:
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China-Europe volumes increased +9% WoW
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Combined volumes from China and Hong Kong to Europe neared their peak-season levels (Nov–Dec 2024)
On pricing:
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China-Europe spot rates dropped -5% WoW to $3.71/kg
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Hong Kong-Europe spot rates rose slightly (+2% WoW) to $4.39/kg, though still below this year’s average of $5/kg
Flower Shipments Decline Post-Mother’s Day
The overall increase in global tonnages was partly offset by a -4% WoW drop from Central & South America (CSA). This decline followed a post-Mother’s Day (11 May) drop in flower shipments. Minor declines also came from:
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North America: -2% WoW
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Africa: -1% WoW
In a two-week-on-two-week (2Wo2W) comparison:
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CSA tonnage fell -23%, but remained +3% higher YoY
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Most other origin regions showed YoY growth, except:
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MESA: -2% YoY
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North America: flat (0%)
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Rates Overview
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Global average rates: $2.33/kg, up +2% WoW, driven by gains from Asia Pacific
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Spot rates: averaged $2.50/kg, also up +2% WoW
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Both metrics are down compared to last year:
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Overall rates: -4% YoY
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Spot rates: -3% YoY
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On the pricing side, worldwide average rates of US$2.33 per kilo edged up slightly higher (+2%) in week 20 compared with the previous week, thanks largely to a +2% WoW increase from Asia Pacific origins, although both were down by -4% compared with week 20 last year. And the pattern for spot rates was similar, with average worldwide spot rates of US$2.50 rising +2% WoW, but -3% below last year’s levels.
The sharpest YoY price drop was seen in the MESA region:
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Spot rates: -23%
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Average rates: -15%
Although prices are now slightly lower, YoY, from most origin regions, the biggest YoY change is for MESA origins, where spot rates and overall average rates are down by -23% and -15%, respectively, compared with their inflated levels this time last year.
Contact Tan Son Nhat Cargo now for the earliest consultation support.
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