Global air cargo spot rates declined for a second consecutive month in June, down -4% year-on-year as supply of capacity overtook demand for the first time in 19 months, and concerns over a more challenging second half of 2025 rose on the back of uncertainty over the prospects for international trade, according to new data from industry analysts Xeneta.
Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s Chief Airfreight Officer, called this market performance ‘unsurprising,’ adding that while politicians are continuing to trade economic blows in the form of tariffs, the latest monthly intelligence also signals consumers are ‘voting with their wallets’ and looking to save money on non-essential goods.
Global air cargo volumes were flat in June, up just +1% year-on-year, while available capacity measured over the same period edged up +2%.
“The air cargo market is losing altitude amidst so much uncertainty,” he said. “For consumers who were already under severe financial pressure from the rise in the everyday cost-of-living, the added cost of tariffs means they are more likely to think twice about buying many of the types of goods which are exported and imported by air.” (....)