Overall air freight rates fell slightly last week as the traditional peak period came to a close, according to the latest data from TAC Index, the leading price reporting agency for air freight markets. The Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) calculated by TAC fell -3.5 percent in the week ending December 23, leaving it slightly lower at -3.1 percent year-on-year – but still very close to what was a sharp rise in the season. peak last year. .
Despite reports of some additional cargo being moved ahead of tariffs when President Trump takes office in the US in January, prices on key corridors out of China were mostly lower to both Europe and the US. The Hong Kong outbound index (BAI30) fell by -3.2% y/y, to -7.1% y/y. Outbound flights from Shanghai (BAI80) decreased by -6.9% y/y, remaining at -6.2% y/y. Elsewhere outside Asia the trends were more mixed, with rates slightly lower from Vietnam and also from India to the United States – but not to Europe. Prices in Europe also rose again, outside of Bangkok and Seoul.
Outside Europe, after recent gains, the Frankfurt External Road Index (BAI20) fell -7.1% y/y, weighed down by lower interest rates to North America, although leaving it ahead by +10.7% y/y. By contrast, London Heathrow Airport (BAI40) was up +5.9% y/y, with gains in most major corridors pushing it to an impressive +31.6% y/y gain.
From the Americas, the Chicago Outbound Index (BAI50) also rose year-on-year by +4.9%, helping pare its year-on-year decline to -10.0%. Overall rates from the US to Europe and China were slightly higher, although slightly lower on routes to South America.
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