air-cargo

Global Airfreight Rates Decline for Fifth Consecutive Week Despite Year-Over-Year Gains

Global airfreight rates fell marginally in the week ending July 27, marking the fifth consecutive weekly decline, according to the Baltic Air Freight Index. Rates remain 16% higher than the same period last year. China-Europe lanes continued their downward trajectory, while US routes showed stability. Hong Kong, Shanghai and India spot rates firmed on transpacific services but softened heading to Europe. North Asian carriers experienced pullbacks from Seoul and Taiwan on most routes after strong first-half gains, though Japan-Europe rates rose. European lanes broadly declined across transatlantic and key Asian corridors. A notable exception emerged on Europe-UAE routes, which spiked again following Middle East disruptions and remain more than double year-ago levels. Summer passenger capacity additions and carrier preparedness for market volatility are keeping pressure on rates.