Worldwide air cargo volumes are reportedly steady, with all origin regions recording year-over-year volume growth in the third quarter
Worldwide average air cargo rates in the third quarter dipped 3% year on year, according to the latest figures from WorldACD Market Data.
However, the analyst said that overall air cargo rates for 2025 are so far broadly on a par with their levels in the first nine months of 2024, when rates ramped up.
Speaking about the third quarter year on year drop of 3% in average global prices, WorldACD Market Data, said: "That drop is chiefly a function of air cargo rates ramping up steadily as the year progressed last year, especially from Asia Pacific and MESA origins, whereas this year average rates have been pretty steady throughout the year from all of the main world origin regions."
WorldACD Market Data also reported that worldwide air cargo tonnages were up 4% in the third quarter of this year compared with 2024, while air cargo tonnages for the year to date are up 4% year on year.
Chargeable weight in the three months to the end of September "continued this year’s pattern of consistent and steady year on year quarterly growth", following on from the 4% rise in the second quarter and 3% increase in the first quarter, added the analyst.
Reflecting on regional performance, WorldACD said all origin regions recorded on year volume growth in the third quarter. Asia Pacific led with a 7% increase, followed by increases of 3% from Europe, North America, and Central & South America (CSA) origins.
Intra-Asia Pacific flows, already the largest regional market worldwide, showed the strongest growth, increasing 10% year on year in the quarter, based on the more than 2m monthly transactions covered by WorldACD’s data.
WorldACD added: "Preliminary full-month figures for September suggest that the last month has also broadly been in line with the general patterns for 2025, despite some considerable volatility at various times from certain markets – including because of new and changing US import tariffs."
The latest Xeneta figures show air cargo demand increased 3% year-on-year in September, moderating from the 5% growth recorded in August.
