After peaking in early December at around 5 per cent above last year’s levels, global air cargo tonnages edged slightly lower in the second week of December, signaling that the seasonal high point has likely passed. According to WorldACD Market Data, total worldwide tonnages dipped by 2 per cent in week 50 (8–14 December). This modest decline is typical for the period, as pre-holiday restocking eases in the final weeks before Christmas and New Year. Rates, however, have proven more resilient. Average worldwide air cargo prices edged up by 1 per cent week on week to US$2.74 per kilo, leaving them less than 1 per cent below their level at the same time last year. This near-parity marks a significant recovery compared with earlier in the year, when rates lagged well behind 2024 levels. Over the past three months, steady gains have gradually narrowed the gap between 2025 pricing and the relatively high levels recorded in the fourth quarter of last year. The year-on-year deficit has shrunk from around 5 per cent in September to an estimated 2 per cent in December. This trend is based on more than 500,000 weekly transactions captured in WorldACD’s dataset and reflects a market that has regained pricing power as demand remained robust.
