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AI and data centre boom still driving increased global airfreight traffic

Japanese airfreight exports are forecast to rise 11.9% this year, driven in part by a surge in semiconductor-related cargo, as investment in AI and data centres accelerates. In its latest analysis, NX Logistics Research Institute expects airfreight exports from Japan to reach 1.13m tonnes in FY26, marking the third consecutive year of growth and the first double-digit increase in five years. Total airfreight, including imports, is forecast to rise 6.8%, to 2.41m tonnes. Asia is expected to be the strongest export market, with volumes forecast to increase 16.5%, while transpacific shipments are predicted to rise 6.4%. The report says semiconductor-related shipments, including electronic components and manufacturing equipment, are increasing as AI-related demand expands. The findings echo observations from Aevean head of consulting Maarten Wormer at Aviation Connect, where data centre investment was also identified as an increasingly important driver of air cargo demand. Mr Wormer told The Loadstar the recovery in transpacific airfreight was not simply a consequence of shippers adapting to changes to the US de minimis regime. While ecommerce volumes were recovering, he said, hi-tech was the main driver. Avevean data show data centre-related global airfreight is estimated at about 107,000 tonnes a month, with particularly strong growth from Taiwan and Thailand. Hi-tech shipments from China to the US are down 9%, but volumes from other origins have increased substantially as supply chains diversify. The trend could also create new flows into Europe, potentially benefiting road feeder and truck operators, while airlines with less exposure to ecommerce could look to hi-tech cargo to replace lost volumes. The NX Logistics report explains that the improvement in semiconductor-related cargo reflected the growing mainstream adoption of AI, while concerns over a deterioration in the semiconductor market, and tighter export controls on China, had receded. But the data centre boom could create its own supply chain challenges, noted Mr Wormer, who highlighted concerns over the availability of components and rare materials, as well as the huge energy and cooling requirements of data centres. Australia is emerging as a major data centre market, he added, potentially creating new and imbalanced airfreight flows. Hi-tech cargo does not generally require extensive specialist handling, although security is a key concern because of its value. Shock and humidity monitoring may also be required. Meanwhile, Mr Wormer noted, ten new freighter aircraft are expected to enter service for Emirates this year, with seven already delivered, while emerging data centre flows are moving eastbound from Asia. This could potentially give Middle East carriers an opportunity to capture a share of the trade, he said. "So then you have a lot more freighter capacity in the Middle East, whilst data centre airfreight is going from Asia. So potentially, they could capture some of that via the Middle East, but that obviously depends on the situation there as well," he added.

Cathay Cargo boosts capacity to three US locations and Mexico

Cathay Cargo has added more transpacific freighter capacity between its home hub at Hong Kong International Airport and Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico, as part of its plans to move more technology-related shipments during the peak season. Jonathan Ng, head of cargo hub operations & development at Cathay, had announced last month that transpacific freighter capacity would be added to cater for growth in semiconductor and data-centre equipment shipments but did not specify where. Commenting further on the transpacific routes involved, Cathay Cargo told Air Cargo News: "The additional freighter capacity to the Americas is from peak season - operating from (September) through to the first to third week of December 2026 - with five flights per week between Hong Kong and Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico." Ng explained: "Cargo demand has remained positive over the summer, particularly due to growth in semiconductor and data-centre equipment shipments from across Asia to our transpacific markets." "The first priority is getting the balance between demand and capacity right," Ng added. "We're adding additional freighter capacity to the Americas from this month to meet current demand and support further growth during the peak." As well as adding intercontinental capacity, the airline will also expand its regional freighter capacity with the addition of an extra aircraft. A leased Airbus A330 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft, which was converted in Shanghai, will also shortly be handed over to Cathay Pacific subsidiary Air Hong Kong to meet regional demand for general cargo during the fourth quarter. "The leased A330P2F operated by Air Hong Kong is planned to provide additional regional capacity in the fourth quarter, providing us with greater agility to build our regional cargo network and making more options available for our freight forwarder partners." The addition of capacity to the Americas mirrors rapid demand growth on the trade lane this year. Figures from IATA show that in August, demand between Asia and North America was up by 13.2% year on year, the seventh consecutive month of growth. The corridor has this year benefitted from surging demand for data centre-related demand, while e-commerce volumes have been gradually recovering following the US decision to end its de minimis exemption for low-value goods in May 2025. China's e-commerce exports to the US also saw an initial dip but have since recovered to stand 23% higher year on year in July 2026 - albeit from a lowered base, according to consultant Xeneta.

Amazon adds two new China airfreight service offerings

Amazon Global Logistics has added two new service offerings for its airfreight operation between China and the US. Amazon said that the two new options - Air SMP and Economy Air - are aimed at providing customers with faster replenishment, more placement control, and lower costs. The firm's Air SMP option allows customers to split inventory at origin and ship by air directly to a locked fulfilment centre within each of its five US regions. Shipments arrive in an estimated seven to 10 calendar days from origin pickup, with daily flights from Shanghai and Hong Kong. There are no Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) inbound placement service fees and no additional surcharges on apparel, electronics, or lithium battery products. Meanwhile, Economy Air provides a lower-cost air freight option with an estimated 11-15 day transit from Shanghai or Shenzhen to Los Angeles. "You still get air-speed replenishment that outpaces ocean freight by weeks, at rates lower than standard Amazon Global Logistics Air," the company said. "Both services are ideal for peak season preparation, stockout recovery, or time-sensitive product launches when ocean transit is too slow." The new service options come after the company realigned its supply chain operation this year. In the summer, the company reunited its Amazon Air operation with its ground transportation and sort centre teams under the leadership of Raoul Sreenivasan. The company said that bringing these operations together as one team means faster decisions, sharper planning, and a more seamless journey for every package it moves. Meanwhile, in May, the company expanded its third-party logistics offering with the launch of Amazon Supply Chain Services (ASCS). Services offered through ASCS include freight, distribution, fulfilment, and parcel shipping solutions.