Air Cargo Demand Eases Ahead of Chinese New Year

As the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday nears, Asia-Pacific air cargo demand is showing signs of easing into February, with only a limited pre-holiday uplift expected across major long-haul lanes. According to industry tracking, demand from Asia to Europe and the U.S. is softening, reflecting a continuing slowdown in e-commerce volumes that has persisted since January — a trend that may keep spot freight rates stable or under mild downward pressure in the near term.

While long-haul demand moderates, intra-Asia routes — including trade corridors between China, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand — are expected to see tighter space and capacity constraints as front-loading ahead of CNY intensifies. This pattern underscores the seasonal nature of air cargo movements, with regional flows often holding firmer even when intercontinental demand softens.

Freight rate indicators such as the Baltic Air Freight Index have already reflected this easing, showing modest declines as carriers balance capacity with slowing spot volumes. For logistics planners and shippers, this seasonal adjustment highlights the importance of strategic capacity planning and booking early, especially on routes where demand remains resilient.