Global air cargo volumes have rebounded after three weeks of decline, but some countries in the Middle East are still experiencing a post-Ramadan downturn. According to WorldACD, worldwide tonnage increased by 3% from 15 to 21 April. This growth comes after consecutive weeks of volume declines attributed to holidays like Easter and Eid. Despite the increase in volume, average worldwide rates remained stable at $2.50 per kg.
The surge in air cargo volume this week was driven by a rise in flower exports from Central and South America ahead of Mother’s Day. However, demand from the Middle East & South Asia is still weak post-Ramadan, and heavy rainfall in Dubai led to flight cancellations and a decline in volumes. Nearby emirates Abu Dhabi and Sharjah saw volume increases due to cargo diverted from Dubai.
Despite these challenges, air cargo volumes from Dubai are still up 107% compared to the same time last year. Disruptions to ocean shipping have led to increased demand for air cargo services, especially in sea-air hubs like Dubai, Columbo, and Bangkok. The air cargo market has remained strong this year, with March and April showing remarkable strength.
Experts predict that access to capacity may become more competitive as the ecommerce market continues to grow. International ecommerce fulfilment is a significant driver of air cargo demand, with concerns about access to capacity impacting growth. Overall, the air cargo market is in good shape, with strong performance expected to continue in the coming months.
