Air Cargo

AI Chip Shipments Strain Transpacific Air Capacity as Demand Surges

Strong demand for artificial intelligence-related products is driving a capacity crunch on transpacific air routes, with forwarders reporting sustained pressure through year-end. Westbound shipments from Asia to North America grew 12% in June, according to DHL Global Forwarding, which expects healthy demand to persist over the next 12 months as cloud infrastructure investments accelerate. E-commerce momentum has softened, but semiconductor and server exports are filling the void. Load factors remain elevated, forcing carriers to deploy charter services and dedicated freighters. Dimerco Express Group warns capacity will remain constrained through the holiday season as shippers build inventory. CEVA launched three weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights from Hanoi to Chicago in June, while DHL Global Forwarding expanded controlled capacity with its new TransPac Connect dedicated transpacific service for high-value cargo moving between Southeast Asia and the United States.