Mid‑January 2026 recovery: Air cargo volumes rise and rates show signs of stability

This piece examines the mid‑January 2026 rebound in worldwide air cargo volumes and what it means for carriers, shippers, and logistics planners. Expect a snapshot of tonnages, rates, regional nuances, and practical impacts on freight operations.

Key developments at a glance

• Week‑on‑week recovery: Global chargeable weight rose about +11% WoW in the period 12–18 January 2026, lifting volumes above January 2025 levels by roughly +5% YoY.

• Rates stabilizing: Full‑market average rates ticked up +1% WoW to about US$2.41/kg, while average spot rates hovered near US$2.60/kg.

• Regional variety: Most origins showed YoY growth, with MESA و آسيا والمحيط الهادئ delivering notable contrasts by market and route.

Regional performance and weekly patterns

Weekly figures from WorldACD Market Data covered more than 500,000 transactions and point to a market that shook off the usual year‑end slump. The rebound brought tonnages close to pre‑holiday levels, although still roughly 10% below mid‑December peaks.

Week 3 tonnage shifts by origin

Pricing: spot vs full‑market trends

Freight pricing shows subtle signs of life. The global full‑market average climbed slightly to around US$2.41/kg, with Asia Pacific origins contributing a notable +4% WoW rise. Average spot rates also recovered about +1% WoW, keeping them roughly on par with levels from the same week last year.

Notable price comparisons

• Capacity vs load: Available capacity grew about +9% YoY while chargeable weight rose +5% YoY, which helps explain why rates didn’t spike higher.

• Regional spot changes: Spot rates ex‑Africa were stronger +14% YoY, while ex‑MESA spot prices eased by about -19% YoY. Spot rates from Asia Pacific were modestly down -3% YoY.

Asia Pacific: divergent flows to Europe and the US

Asia Pacific showed two distinct stories. Volumes from the region to Europe were particularly strong, up roughly +19% على أساس سنوي in week 3, led by China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and many Southeast Asian markets. However, routes to the US grew a more modest +6% YoY, with stark contrasts among origin markets.

Country‑level contrasts

China and Hong Kong together saw weaker flows to the US (down about 12% YoY for CN/HK), while markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea recorded double‑digit gains and, in some cases, roughly +50% YoY on certain lanes. In short: don’t paint the Asia Pacific region with one brush — pockets of very strong demand coexist with lagging markets.

What this means for shippers and logistics planners

• تخطيط القدرة الاستيعابية: Expect tactical re‑routing and agile capacity buys where origins show sudden spikes.

• Rate negotiation: Full‑market stability doesn’t preclude opportunity — spot volatility by lane offers windows for cost savings.

• Inventory timing: Early booking helps avoid last‑minute premiums when tonnages rebound quickly.

• Market monitoring: Granular visibility by origin is essential to avoid surprises; the old adage rings true — a week is a long time in airfreight.

Practical logistics impacts

For forwarders, carriers, and in‑house logistics teams, the mid‑January rebound is both a relief and a reminder: demand can snap back quickly after seasonal troughs, and that rebound may be uneven across origins and corridors. That has operational consequences for booking windows, aircraft utilization, pallet allocation, and pricing strategies. Many teams learn quickly — like a transport planner who shifted capacity to Southeast Asia lanes and avoided a pricey scramble; sometimes a small pivot is worth its weight in gold.

Quick reference: rate and capacity snapshot

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Highlights to remember: the market shows a clear rebound in tonnages, prices are stabilizing rather than surging, and regional disparities mean lane‑level intelligence is crucial. Yet even the best market analysis can’t replace firsthand experience — booking a test lane or running a small trial shipment often reveals operational realities faster than charts ever will. On GetTransport.com, you can order cargo transportation globally at competitive rates, allowing you to test service levels and make decisions without breaking the bank. Benefit from transparent options for office or home moves, cargo deliveries, and the transport of bulky items like furniture, vehicles, or heavy pallets. Book your cargo transportation with confidence — Get the best offers GetTransport.com.com.com

Summary: Mid‑January 2026 saw an encouraging rebound in airfreight tonnages (+11% WoW, ~+5% YoY) with rates inching higher but remaining largely stable. Regional performances vary sharply — Asia Pacific drove growth to Europe, MESA and Africa showed notable YoY moves, and capacity expansion outpaced cargo growth. For logistics, this translates into more emphasis on lane‑level planning, flexible booking, and smarter use of spot windows. Whether you manage palletized exports, containers, bulky shipments, or urgent parcels, a tuned approach to transport, forwarding, dispatch, and haulage will pay dividends. Platforms like GetTransport.com simplify the hunt for reliable, affordable shipping and movers for both international and domestic needs, helping ensure smoother freight, shipment, delivery, and relocation outcomes.