Global air cargo demand finished a tumultuous 2025 on a high with volumes up 6 per cent year-on-year in December, but flatlining e-commerce shipments ex-China will create concern for airlines and forwarders reliant on consumers’ online buying sprees, according to Xeneta. Better-than-expected volumes over the last quarter of the year helped demand record +4 per cent growth in weight year-on-year for 2025, reflecting many shippers’ willingness to shift away from other modes to the speed and reliability of air cargo during times of disruption and economic uncertainty.
