November 2, 2026. Air cargo rates rose for the second month in a row in October. Drewry's Airfreight Price Index averaged USD 4.12 per kilo globally, 3 % more than in September and the highest level since June, according to the report published on October 30. Transpacific eastbound rates rose 5 %.
What is pushing prices
Drewry points to inflationary pressure, global economic growth, strong AI-related demand, disruption in container shipping and aircraft capacity that has not kept pace with traffic. Volumes probably also benefited from cargo moving from ship to plane because of prolonged storm-related congestion at East Asian ports.
Monthly changes by lane in October, per Drewry:
- Transpacific: +5 % eastbound, +1 % westbound.
- Asia–Europe: +2 % westbound, +1 % eastbound.
- Transatlantic: flat eastbound, −6 % westbound.
Asia to the US: more tonnes, much higher prices
WorldACD's weekly airline data point the same way. In the week of October 12–18, global chargeable weight rose 2 % and average USD rates 4 %, with increases from every origin region except Africa. Worldwide prices were almost 30 % above a year earlier.
From Asia Pacific to the US, tonnes rose 10 % week on week and 14 % year on year, while rates rose 6 % on the week and 41 % on the year. Volumes from China to the US jumped 18 % after the Golden Week holiday. WorldACD said the strength of AI-related shipments has led to forecasts of a strong transpacific peak season.
Air or ocean?
Our take: air pays for samples, urgent parts, high-value electronics and light goods. For everything else, planning ahead lets you move by sea and keep the plane for emergencies.
- Ask for an air freight and a sea freight quote and compare the cost per unit delivered.
- Get real carton weights and dimensions from the supplier: air is charged on the greater of actual and volumetric weight.
- Book peak-season space early.
- Run a landed cost calculation before choosing the mode.
