Global airfreight volumes declined in the first full week of August after a mild rally the previous week, with chargeable weight sinking from all origins, said a report. The Middle East was among the weakest-performing markets, along with South Asia, with volumes down 6pc in the first full week of August.
Long-term air freight rates, which were earlier set to fall 5% to 10% in full-year 2026, are, however, now expected to rise 5% to 15%, driven primarily by the supply chain shock caused by the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, said Xeneta, the ocean and air freight rate intelligence solution, in its Air Freight Outlook 2026 Mid-Year Update
