SMARTcargo Daily Air Cargo Brief — May 23, 2026
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage -3% WoW, avg rates at $3.22/kg (wk 19) as Golden Week & Mother's Day surges faded — still +5% tonnage and +39% pricing YoY. (WorldACD)
Route Trends: Vietnam→Europe +22% WoW; China/HK→US +50% YoY. Gulf freighter capacity still ~33% below pre-conflict levels, keeping MESA-origin rates elevated.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): firming; ~$5.91+ (wk 13 proxy, CAAS Int)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.23 (Freightos S.Asia/SEA avg; +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: firming / fuel-driven; no current spot
Global avg: $3.22/kg (+39% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $7.95/gal May 22 (GlobalAir.com). Global ~$162.55/bbl (IATA). Surcharges elevated; 13,000 May flights cut on cost pressure.
Top Story: Rates pulled back from their Mid-East conflict-driven peak mid-May, but jet fuel up 100%+ since late February is forcing 13,000+ schedule cuts, keeping cargo rate floors elevated into summer.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Air freight tonnage fell ~3% WoW in early May as Super Golden Week and Mother's Day flower surges ended; YoY volumes stay elevated (WorldACD). Rates eased to $3.22/kg but hold +28% YoY amid fuel pressure (TAC Index).
Route Trends: Asia–Europe rates plateaued at $4.60–5.40/kg on post-holiday softening; transpacific held firmer. Middle East rerouting lifts India-lane prices; transatlantic tightening from Europe.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+9% WoW)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.00 (plateauing; $4.60–5.40)
• Transatlantic: firming from Europe; US-outbound easing
Global avg: $3.22/kg (+28% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.57/gal May (–$0.06 MoM). Global jet fuel ~$162.55/bbl. Fuel surcharges 20–35% of AWB.
Top Story: Airlines cut ~13,000 flights in May as jet fuel — up ~80% YoY — forces capacity discipline; IATA projects 71.6M cargo tonnes for 2026.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Week 19 global tonnage fell 3% WoW as Asia Pacific holidays ended and Mother's Day flower volumes subsided (WorldACD). April's $3.17/kg is the 2026 spot-rate high — still ~36% above last year (TAC Index/BAI00).
Route Trends: Asia–Europe rates plateauing near $5.40/kg; transpacific buoyant on tariff front-loading. UAE airspace reopened post-ceasefire, restoring Gulf hub flows disrupted since February.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.48 (−7% from Feb peak)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.40 (plateauing)
• Transatlantic: ~$6.41 (fuel-elevated)
Global avg: $3.17/kg (April high — WorldACD)
Jet A Watch: US avg $7.95/gal May 22. Global ~$162.55/bbl (IATA). Surcharges 27–31% of AWB.
Top Story: UAE airspace restrictions from the Iran conflict are now lifted, restoring Gulf hub capacity. Long-haul rate normalization to the US and Europe isn't expected until August.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnage -3% WoW, avg rates at $3.22/kg (wk 19) as Golden Week & Mother's Day surges faded — still +5% tonnage and +39% pricing YoY. (WorldACD)
Route Trends: Vietnam→Europe +22% WoW; China/HK→US +50% YoY. Gulf freighter capacity still ~33% below pre-conflict levels, keeping MESA-origin rates elevated.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): firming; ~$5.91+ (wk 13 proxy, CAAS Int)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.23 (Freightos S.Asia/SEA avg; +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: firming / fuel-driven; no current spot
Global avg: $3.22/kg (+39% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $7.95/gal May 22 (GlobalAir.com). Global ~$162.55/bbl (IATA). Surcharges elevated; 13,000 May flights cut on cost pressure.
Top Story: Rates pulled back from their Mid-East conflict-driven peak mid-May, but jet fuel up 100%+ since late February is forcing 13,000+ schedule cuts, keeping cargo rate floors elevated into summer.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global airfreight tonnage grew +5% YoY in April but slipped -7% WoW in early May as the Mother’s Day flower surge ended (WorldACD). April avg rates hit $3.17/kg (+28% YoY), the 2026 high, driven by Gulf rerouting and e-commerce.
Route Trends: Gulf hostilities disrupt MESA lanes, rerouting freighters onto longer Europe–Asia arcs. Transpacific stays tight; China–US and China–Europe spot rates eased slightly WoW after April’s peak.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.11 (+41% YoY)
• Asia–Europe: ~$2.87 (+32% YoY)
• Transatlantic: firming (no current quote)
Global avg: $3.34/kg (+30% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $8.57/gal May 2026 (+$2.09 YoY). Global ~$163/bbl. Fuel surcharges 18–25% of AWB.
Top Story: Escalating Gulf hostilities add transit time to Europe–Asia freighter lanes. Qatar Airways Cargo counters by boosting capacity 12% via new freighter routes and belly space.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: April tonnage rose +5% YoY before a -7% WoW dip in week 18 as the Mother's Day flower surge ended (WorldACD). Global rates hit $3.29/kg (+37% YoY), with jet fuel the dominant driver.
Route Trends: Asia–Europe elevated on longer routings around Middle East airspace closures; MESA rates up +63% YoY. Indian subcontinent near 65% of pre-conflict capacity; transatlantic belly adding unevenly.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.70–7.00 (firming)
• Asia–Europe: ~$4.80–5.45 (+31% YoY)
• Transatlantic: ~$2.50–5.50 (surcharge-driven)
Global avg: $3.29/kg (+37% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast $4.05/gal (May 8, EIA). Global ~$163/bbl — near double Feb. levels. Surcharges a rising share of AWB.
Top Story: Iran conflict airspace closures force longer Asia–Europe routings, compressing payload and keeping fuel-driven premiums elevated with no near-term resolution (Air Cargo News).
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#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global airfreight tonnage fell -7% WoW in wk 18 (Apr 27–May 3) post-Mother's Day; April closed +5% YoY with avg rates at a 2026 high of $3.17/kg, up +28% YoY (WorldACD).
Route Trends: Iranian drone strikes on the UAE (May 4) restricted Gulf airspace, creating ~16% global capacity shortfall (SEKO Logistics). MESA corridors rerouting; transpacific tight as S. Korea–US rates rise.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+9% WoW)
• Asia–Europe: firming (+4% WoW, +28% YoY)
• Transatlantic: softening ex-EU; rising ex-US
Global avg: $3.17/kg (+28% YoY — WorldACD)
Jet A Watch: US avg $7.93/gal (May 12). Global ~$163/bbl (IATA, -10% WoW). Fuel surcharges 15–25% of AWB.
Top Story: Iranian drone attacks on UAE airspace (May 4) caused a ~16% global air cargo capacity shortfall (SEKO Logistics), forcing widebody reroutes and lifting MESA spot premiums.
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Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global air cargo tonnages +9% YoY in late April; spot rates up +2% WoW to $3.76/kg, full-market rates +1% WoW to $3.19/kg (WorldACD). Middle East conflict reroutes and Mother's Day demand sustain rate pressure.
Route Trends: Asia–Europe rates firm near $5.45/kg (HKG–FRA) as Middle East reroutes extend routings. C&S America surged +19% WoW on flower exports from Colombia/Ecuador ahead of Mother's Day.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.70 (+41% YoY, AP-origin avg)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.11 (AP-origin avg; HKG–FRA spot ~$5.45)
• Transatlantic: ~$2.65 (NA-origin avg; +60% YoY)
Global avg: $3.76/kg (+45% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast $4.16/gal May (easing MoM). Global ~$181/bbl (IATA). Surcharges 20–28% of AWB.
Top Story: FedEx MD-11Fs return to service in May after six months grounded, adding freighter capacity to a market absorbing Middle East routing disruptions.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global air cargo tonnages rose +9% YoY in wk 17 (Apr 20–26); CSA surged +19% WoW on Mother's Day flower exports. Spot rates hit a 3-year high at $3.76/kg (+2% WoW, +45% YoY); full-market $3.19/kg (+30% YoY) (WorldACD).
Route Trends: MESA capacity sits -26% below pre-war levels, rerouting flows via Asia-Pacific and Europe. Transpacific lanes firm on tariff front-loading; Asia-Europe at multi-year highs.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.54 (+45% YoY)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.63 (3-yr high)
• Transatlantic: ~$2.57 (softening)
Global avg: $3.76/kg (+45% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US avg $7.94/gal May 9 (first rise in 4 wks). Global jet fuel ~$181/bbl. Surcharges 20–40% of AWB.
Top Story: FedEx MD-11 freighters cleared for service in May after a 6-month grounding following the Nov 2025 fatal crash — adding meaningful capacity to key global lanes.
Brought to you by SMARTcargo — smarter air cargo, every day.
#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Global tonnages +9% YoY (wk 17, Apr 20–26); spot rates +2% WoW to $3.76/kg, full-market +1% to $3.19/kg (WorldACD). Rates ~+45% above year-ago as Middle East disruptions tighten capacity.
Route Trends: Iranian airspace closures post-May 4 UAE strikes re-route Asia–Europe freight onto longer paths. Transpacific holds firm; transatlantic shed -17% WoW to $2.57/kg.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (early May proxy; +9% WoW)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.40 (SE Asia; near Apr highs)
• Transatlantic: ~$2.57 (−17% WoW)
Global avg: $3.76/kg (+45% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf $4.16/gal May 1 (EIA). Global ~$181/bbl (IATA). Surcharges ~15–25% of AWB.
Top Story: Iranian strikes on UAE (May 4) closed regional airspace, creating a reported 16% global capacity shortfall and rate spikes on key corridors (SEKO Logistics).
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#SMARTcargo #AirCargo #Logistics #Freight #JetFuel #SupplyChain
Bjarki Arnarson
(SMARTcargo)3 months ago
Industry Pulse: Tonnages +9% YoY and +3% WoW in late April; full-market rates +30% YoY as Mother's Day flows and Mideast disruption firm markets (WorldACD). Spot rates +2% WoW to $3.76/kg.
Route Trends: Asia–US firmed +9% WoW on tightening belly capacity; CSA flower exports +19% WoW pre-Mother's Day. Mideast reroutes persist after May 4 UAE airspace curbs.
Charter Spot Rates (per kg):
• Transpacific (Asia–US): ~$5.91 (+9% WoW)
• Asia–Europe: ~$5.40 (firming)
• Transatlantic: ~$2.87 (Europe outbound, +32% YoY)
Global avg: $3.76/kg (+45% YoY)
Jet A Watch: US Gulf Coast spot $4.16/gal (wk of May 1), MoM stable. Global jet fuel ~$181/bbl (IATA). Fuel surcharges 25–30% of AWB.
Top Story: Xeneta says airfreight rates may have peaked after April's +30% YoY surge, but SEKO warns May 4 Iranian strikes on UAE restricted airspace—global capacity shortfall now up to 16%.
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