China's leading role in global air cargo is being reshaped by e-commerce growth and decarbonisation pressures, reports Beijing's Global Times.

Four of the world's top 20 airports by tonnage are in China, with Hong Kong and Shanghai leading. Asian hubs drove a 14 per cent weekly increase in cargo volumes in October 2025, highlighting the strength of cross-border e-commerce. Yet incomplete data and tariff volatility on China-US routes have created uncertainty.

Europe's demand has weakened, while Middle Eastern hubs are strengthening links between China and Europe. Etihad Cargo signed a cooperation deal with Ezhou Huahu Airport in Hubei to expand cold chain and high-value logistics. Chengdu Airport has launched direct cargo flights to the Middle East, and Qatar Airways Cargo partnered with Cainiao to improve distribution to Africa and Europe.

Global growth in 2026 is forecast at 3.1 per cent, but air cargo faces constraints. The EU has imposed a EUR2 charge (US$2.32) on packages below EUR150 to curb fast fashion imports, while the US has removed exemptions for packages under US$800. Rising jet fuel costs add further pressure, with Europe relying on imports from the Middle East, India and Central Asia.

Italy's Eni is promoting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil. Gianni di Giovanni, chairman of Eni China, said SAF could deliver 65 per cent of aviation's emissions reduction by 2050, with China well placed due to its feedstock supply. He likened China's role in biofuels to Saudi Arabia's in oil last century.

Challenges remain as SAF costs are two to five times higher than conventional fuel, with limited mandates and demand signals. The EU's Refuel Aviation scheme and US incentives are supporting investment, but without a stable framework utilisation rates stay low. Analysts say reconciling decarbonisation with consumption is essential for the sector's future.