SMARTcargo Daily Air Cargo Brief — June 26, 2026
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage +1% WoW in Wk 24 (June 8–14), avg spot rate flat at $3.23/kg (+34% YoY), as recovery from national holidays and AI-driven demand keep markets firm (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Asia–Europe flat WoW for a third week running; Asia–US up a fourth consecutive week. Middle East conflict rerouting Europe-bound capacity, tightening key lanes.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+1% WoW, +33% YoY)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.60 (+4% WoW, +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.20 (firming; Middle East reroutes diverting EU capacity)
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $3.57/gal June (wholesale). Global jet fuel ~$142/bbl. Surcharges 20–45% of AWB.
Top Story: At Air Cargo Shanghai 2026 (June 24), execs confirmed AI-driven demand is sustaining air cargo through tariff volatility and Middle East headwinds. Etihad Cargo launched a logistics training academy June 26.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage +1% WoW in Wk 24 (June 8–14), avg spot rate flat at $3.23/kg (+34% YoY), as recovery from national holidays and AI-driven demand keep markets firm (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Asia–Europe flat WoW for a third week running; Asia–US up a fourth consecutive week. Middle East conflict rerouting Europe-bound capacity, tightening key lanes.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+1% WoW, +33% YoY)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.60 (+4% WoW, +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.20 (firming; Middle East reroutes diverting EU capacity)
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $3.57/gal June (wholesale). Global jet fuel ~$142/bbl. Surcharges 20–45% of AWB.
Top Story: At Air Cargo Shanghai 2026 (June 24), execs confirmed AI-driven demand is sustaining air cargo through tariff volatility and Middle East headwinds. Etihad Cargo launched a logistics training academy June 26.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global volumes rose +1% WoW in Wk 24 with YoY pricing up +34% to $3.23/kg (WorldACD). AI hardware demand and Middle East tensions continue driving elevated rates.
Route Trends: Transpacific spot has gained +1% WoW for four straight weeks. Middle East capacity returning, easing Asia–Europe pressure — rates still +28% YoY.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+9% WoW)
• Asia–Europe: firming (+4% WoW, +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: softening (capacity recovering)
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY, WorldACD Wk 24)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast $3.57/gal June (−11.4% WoW). Global jet fuel ~$142/bbl. Fuel surcharges 15–25% of AWB.
Top Story: At Air Cargo China 2026 (June 26), executives cited AI demand and tariff rerouting as H2 growth drivers, with network agility and tech investment as key differentiators.
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#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage +1% WoW (wk 24, June 8–14); avg rate flat at $3.23/kg, +34% YoY (WorldACD). Fuel costs and Middle East disruptions continue to underpin rates YoY.
Route Trends: Middle East hub disruptions rerouting cargo to Asia-carrier lanes; MESA-origin volumes surged +2–4% WoW while Asia-US eased -2% WoW.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (firming)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.00 (+4% WoW / +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: firming (no benchmark available)
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg ~$3.57/gal June (Argus). Global ~$141.64/bbl (IATA), -11.4% WoW on ceasefire talks. Fuel surcharges 25–35% of AWB.
Top Story: IATA slashed its 2026 cargo volume growth forecast from 2.6% to 0.2% YoY amid Middle East disruptions — but revenue still projected to hit $162bn as carriers price through fuel costs.
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#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global volumes rose +1% WoW in week 24 (June 8–14); avg rates held at $3.23/kg, +34% YoY with MESA leading gains (WorldACD). A 70% YoY fuel surge keeps rate floors elevated across all lanes (IATA).
Route Trends: Cargolux launches Liège–Mumbai and Liège–Shanghai 777F services July 2. Gradual return of Middle East carrier capacity may soften Asia–Europe pricing in Q3.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$3.80 (+39% YoY)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.90 (+28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.20 (firming)
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY, WorldACD Wk24)
Jet A Watch: US avg ~$3.57/gal June (EIA/IATA). Global jet fuel ~$142/bbl. Surcharges 15–35% of AWB.
Top Story: IATA's June 7 report: Middle East conflict and a 70% fuel surge halve 2026 airline profits to $23B — yet cargo revenue reaches a record $162B (+7.2% YoY) on strong yields.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 1 month ago
Industry Pulse: Global volumes fell -4% WoW in week 25 (June 16–22), pressured by Eid Al-Adha and Israel-Iran conflict disruptions in MESA; YoY pricing stays +34% with avg worldwide rates at ~$3.23/kg (WorldACD). Demand ex-other regions held firm.
Route Trends: MESA rebounded +10% WoW as disruptions eased — Levant +14%, Pakistan +32%, Bangladesh +18%. Global capacity +1%, moderating rate pressure on Asia–Europe.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (firming; TAC Index proxy)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.60 (stable; HK-FRA basis)
• Transatlantic: softening / demand-led
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY, WorldACD)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast $3.57/gal June (EIA). Global ~$141.64/bbl (IATA). Fuel surcharges 15–25% of AWB.
Top Story: Emirates SkyCargo launches one of its largest East & Southeast Asia freighter expansions in years; Cargolux debuts 777F routes to Mumbai and Shanghai on July 2.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 2 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage +1% WoW wk 24 (Jun 8–14), MESA led gains; yield held $3.23/kg but +34% YoY (WorldACD). May spot rates hit 2026 high of $3.40/kg as Iran conflict squeezed capacity (Xeneta).
Route Trends: ME disruptions force Asia–Europe reroutes; Vietnam–Europe ~$6.27/kg. European carriers added +38% freighter capacity. Transpacific recovering as SE Asia cargo offsets de minimis losses.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): firming; NE Asia +39% vs. late-Feb (TAC proxy)
• Asia–Europe: ~$2.98 (2026 YTD high)
• Transatlantic: softening; Europe–NA down ~26% from Apr peak
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg ~$3.37/gal Jun (IATA). Global ~$141.64/bbl, -11.4% WoW on ceasefire news. Surcharges ~15–25% of AWB.
Top Story: Dedicated freighter capacity fell 12% YoY; IATA projects 71.6M tonnes for 2026 (+2.4%), recovery hinges on fuel stability and ME de-escalation.
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#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 2 months ago
Industry Pulse: Tonnage fell -3% in wk 25 (Jun 16–22) vs. prior two weeks as Eid holidays dampened flows; rates held at ~$3.23/kg (+34% YoY, WorldACD). MESA rebounded +10% WoW after a -15% slide.
Route Trends: Transpacific near-max capacity as semiconductor demand meets Middle East rerouting. Asia carriers absorb EU–Asia traffic from disrupted Gulf hubs; ex-Europe to MESA -14% WoW on Eid.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+9% WoW, Xeneta)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.50 (+28% YoY, proxy)
• Transatlantic: ~$3.20 (softening)
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast ~$3.57/gal (Argus). Global ~$141.64/bbl (IATA). Surcharges 20–35% of AWB.
Top Story: IATA cut 2026 cargo growth to just +0.2% YoY amid ME disruptions. Transpacific hit max utilization on semiconductor demand; Asia–US rates near $5.91/kg (Xeneta).
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 2 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage +1% WoW in wk 24 (June 8–14), +10% YoY; MESA led +22% (WorldACD). Rates flat at $3.23/kg (+34% YoY) as Gulf tensions eased on a preliminary US-Iran ceasefire deal.
Route Trends: Asia–Europe CW +2% WoW on Gulf reroutes; Malaysia +36% WoW. Asia-to-USA -2% WoW on China/Japan/Vietnam dips. Transpacific spot firming for 5 straight weeks.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (Apr proxy; +1% WoW firming)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.00 est. (flat WoW 3rd wk; +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: softening / n.a.
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $3.57/gal June (-5% WoW). Global ~$142/bbl. Fuel surcharges ~15–25% of AWB.
Top Story: A US-Iran deal may reopen Strait of Hormuz airspace and restore Gulf hub capacity — but full recovery in flights and oil output is months away, keeping rates elevated.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 2 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage rose +1% WoW in week 24 (June 8–14), up +10% YoY (WorldACD). Average rate held at $3.23/kg as North America rebounded post–Memorial Day amid eased Middle East tensions.
Route Trends: Asia–Europe volumes gained +2% WoW on rerouted Gulf sectors; MESA surged +4% WoW post-Eid despite MESA capacity dipping -2% after the prior week’s +9% surge.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+1% WoW; +39% vs. Feb)
• Asia–Europe: ~$3.23 (flat WoW; 3rd consec. wk)
• Transatlantic: softening; EU–NA down ~26% from May peak
Global avg: $3.23/kg (+34% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg ~$3.57/gal June (-11% WoW, IATA). Global ~$142/bbl. Fuel surcharges 20–30% of AWB.
Top Story: US–Iran preliminary ceasefire this week signals gradual Gulf airspace reopening. Gulf carriers at ~70% of pre-war capacity — full recovery still months away.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)about 2 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global air tonnage +4% YtD vs. 2025; IATA cut its 2026 growth forecast to +0.2% YoY amid Middle East conflict and fuel shocks. Spot rates +35% above last year (WorldACD).
Route Trends: MESA volumes rebounded +10% WoW in wk25 (Jun 16–22) after Eid declines — Bangladesh +32%, Pakistan +18%. Asia carriers filling Europe–ME capacity gaps; transpacific signals early peak buildup.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+36% YoY; TAC Apr proxy)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.60 (+39% YoY; WorldACD wk22)
• Transatlantic: firming on early peak demand
Global avg: $3.29/kg (+35% YoY, WorldACD wk22)
Jet A Watch: US avg $3.57/gal June (Gulf Coast). Global jet fuel ~$141/bbl (IATA). Fuel surcharges 20–30% of AWB.
Top Story: EU's €3 fee on low-value e-commerce imports takes effect July 1, spurring a pre-deadline airfreight rush from Asia and urgent capacity scrambles across forwarders.
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#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain