Global air cargo volumes rose 5 per cent year-on-year in mid-January, with tonnages recovering after the post-Christmas slowdown, reports London's Air Cargo News.

Data provider WorldACD said chargeable weight is now close to pre-holiday levels, though still 10 per cent below the mid-December peak. Gains were recorded from most origin regions, led by Middle East South Asia at 15 per cent, Africa nine per cent, Asia Pacific six per cent, Central and South America five per cent, and North America two per cent. Europe was down one per cent.

WorldACD noted that chargeable weight patterns over the past five weeks closely mirror last year, with elevated tonnages compared to the same period in 2025. Improvements this year are partly explained by last year's slow start and the later timing of the Chinese New Year holiday, which falls on 17 February compared with 29 January in 2025.

Demand is rising faster from Asia Pacific to Europe than to North America. Week three tonnages to Europe were up 19 per cent year-on-year, with strong growth from China (17 per cent), Hong Kong (30 per cent), Taiwan and Southeast Asia, including Thailand (32 per cent) and Malaysia (26 per cent). Japan fell three per cent and South Korea rose one per cent.

Asia Pacific to US volumes increased six per cent year-on-year, but with sharp disparities. Shipments from China and Hong Kong fell 12 per cent, while South Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia posted strong gains. Volumes from Vietnam and Thailand to the US were up about 50 per cent, continuing several months of growth.