Worldwide air cargo tonnages rebounded in mid-September after the usual annual dip around the US and Canadian Labour Day holiday, with chargeable weight rising for a fourth consecutive week. 

However volumes from the Middle Tonnages, rates and capacity were all higher than a year earlier across the major regions, according to the latest weekly figures from WorldACD Market Data.

Global tonnages rose 2% week on week in the week ended September 20, led by a 14% rebound in volumes originating in North America, which returned traffic to levels seen in the previous few weeks. Volumes from the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) fell 4%, while Africa also recorded a 4% decline.

Compared with the same week last year, worldwide tonnages were up 8%. Asia Pacific origins led the increase with 11% growth, followed by North America at 8%, Europe at 6%, and MESA and Central and South America (CSA) at 2% each.

Average worldwide air freight rates were broadly stable in week 38, based on a full-market mix of spot and contract rates.

Africa recorded the largest week-on-week increase, with average rates rising 6% to $2.47 per kilogram. Worldwide full-market rates were 24% higher than a year earlier, led by a 49% increase from MESA. Rates from Europe and Africa were each 26% higher, while Asia Pacific rates rose 21%.

Average worldwide spot rates were also broadly unchanged at $3.45 per kg despite another increase in jet fuel prices.

Africa recorded the largest weekly increase in spot rates, at 7%, while rates from Asia Pacific and Europe each rose 1%. Those increases were offset by declines from North America, down 4%, MESA, down 2%, and CSA, down 1%.

The worldwide spot-rate average was 33% higher than a year earlier. 

All regions recorded year-on-year increases, most of at least 25%, with CSA the exception at 5%. Middle East and South Asia recorded the largest increase, with spot rates 52% higher than a year earlier, followed by North America at 34%, Africa at 31%, Asia Pacific at 30% and Europe at 29%.

The decline in MESA tonnages was particularly evident on routes to the United States, where volumes fell 5% week on week. Traffic from India fell 5%, Bangladesh dropped 17% and Sri Lanka declined 10%, while volumes from some Gulf markets remained volatile.

Traffic from MESA to Europe was more stable, rising 1% week on week. An increase from Bangladesh partly offset a 14% decline in volumes from Sri Lanka.