WorldACD weekly air cargo trends (week 12)

Average worldwide air cargo rates regained a further +4% in the third full week of March, taking them back to around their levels in mid-January and last summer, as the market ex-Asia Pacific continues to rebuild after Lunar New Year (LNY). According to the latest weekly figures from WorldACD Market Data, average worldwide spot rates gained a further +5% to reach US$2.69 per kilo in week 12 (17 to 23 March), with contract rates rising +3% to $2.40 per kilo, taking the full-market average mix of spot and contract rates to $2.45 per kilo. That’s +3% higher than the equivalent week last year.

The increases come despite a slight (-1%) week-on-week (WoW) drop in worldwide flown chargeable weight, which remains +3% higher, year on year (YoY). Of the main worldwide origin regions, only Asia Pacific and Africa recorded any WoW tonnage increases (both +1%), taking chargeable weight from Asia Pacific origins +10% higher, YoY. But that apparent growth from Asia Pacific origins may be heightened by the earlier timing of LNY in 2025 – on 29 January, compared with 10 February last year.