AI Infrastructure Cargo Drives Airfreight Growth at Expeditors and Changi

Expeditors reported that third-quarter airfreight tonnage rose approximately 13% year over year, with demand from hyperscalers contributing to the increase. The company said AI-related shipments included components from suppliers involved in AI infrastructure and finished servers.

Key details

• Changi Airport handled approximately 1.66 million tonnes of cargo in the first nine months of 2026, an 8.5% increase year over year.
• Changi Airport executive Jaisey Yip said semiconductors and AI-related infrastructure drove much of the airport’s cargo growth.
• Emirates SkyCargo introduced AI Tech, a product for moving server racks, semiconductors, GPUs, capital equipment, and other AI hardware.
• Emirates divisional senior vice president Badr Abbas said the airline carried more than 700 tonnes of AI infrastructure in July and that demand continued to increase.

Changi Airport handled 1.66 million tonnes of cargo in the first nine months of 2026, up 8.5% year over year.

Why it matters

AI cargo includes equipment with specific handling and aircraft-space needs. Yip said some shipments are valuable and sensitive to shock and vibration, while production equipment can require main-deck freighter space.