Global air freight grew in August 2026 compared to the previous year: according to Metro by six percent, according to WorldACD by five percent. New demand is emerging particularly from Asia through high-value technology. This includes semiconductors, servers, storage, power supply, and other equipment for data centers and artificial intelligence, or AI for short.
However, the market is tighter than the pure growth figures suggest. Global air freight capacity remained virtually unchanged in August compared to the previous year according to Metro; WorldACD shows an increase of two percent. When volume grows significantly faster than cargo capacity, utilization and price pressure rise. Additional full freighters cannot be made available quickly due to delayed aircraft deliveries and slow conversion programs.
In calendar week 36, spot rates from Asia to Europe increased by three percent and to the USA by two percent compared to the previous week. From China and Thailand to Europe, the increase was six percent each. Such weekly figures are snapshots, but they demonstrate the increasingly tight situation.
E-commerce has not disappeared. Changes to European regulations for small shipments initially slowed some China routes. Aircraft were subsequently partially redirected to stronger transpacific routes. At the same time, high-tech cargo is generating new volume.
Special requirements apply to this cargo. Servers and chips are expensive, theft-prone, and sensitive to moisture, vibration, and electrostatic discharge. Batteries or backup power systems may additionally fall under hazardous goods regulations.