WorldACD: Chargeable Weight Up 2%, Air Rates Rise 4% in Week 42

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According to the latest data from WorldACD, worldwide air cargo chargeable weight expanded by 2% week-on-week (WoW), while overall average rates measured in US dollars climbed 4% during Week 42/2026 (spanning October 12 to October 18). Notably, chargeable weight serves as the commercial baseline applied to freight billing, which reflects either the actual gross weight or the volumetric weight of a consignment depending on cargo density.

Alongside volume gains, total available air freight capacity rose by 2% WoW, snapping a two-week streak of consecutive 1% weekly contractions.

Asia-Pacific Spearheads Weekly Expansion

Chargeable weight originating from the Asia-Pacific region registered an impressive 9% WoW surge. Within this outbound trade, air cargo flows destined for Europe jumped 13%, while volumes headed to the United States rose 10% compared to the prior week.

Benchmark comparisons against the same period last year, however, revealed a noticeable regional divergence: outbound Asia-Pacific volumes bound for the US surged 14% year-over-year (YoY), whereas the westbound corridor to Europe contracted by 16% YoY.

Rate Gains Recorded Across Most Origin Regions

WorldACD logged WoW rate increases across nearly every major global origin market, with the sole exception of Africa, where average price levels slipped 4%.

On a year-over-year basis, global air freight rates are currently trending almost 30% higher. Most notably, outbound corridors from Asia-Pacific to the United States recorded an eye-catching 41% price premium compared to the same week in 2025.

Figures cited in the report are presented as percentage shifts. The weekly advisory does not disclose absolute monetary rate levels on individual corridors, nor does it segment the pricing variance between dynamic spot market rates and longer-term BSA or contract agreements.

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Source: Phaata.com 

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Reference source: WorldACD — WorldACD Weekly Air Cargo Trends 2026 – week 42