China–Europe Air Cargo Volume Falls 17% in October

WorldACD reported that air cargo volume from China and Hong Kong to Europe fell 17% year on year in October 2026. The figures show different trends across major trade lanes, with China- and Hong Kong-origin cargo to the United States rising over the same period.

Key details

• China-to-Europe cargo volume fell 8% year on year; Hong Kong-to-Europe volume fell 32%.
• China and Hong Kong cargo tonnage to the United States rose 8% year on year, with mainland China up 9% and Hong Kong up 4%.
• China–Europe airfreight rates reached $4.85 per kg, up 9% from September and 14% year on year.
• China–US rates reached $6.47 per kg, up 7% month on month and 30% year on year.
• WorldACD reported that overall air cargo tonnage increased 6% year on year; the reported figure did not specify a geographic scope.

Hong Kong-to-Europe air cargo volume fell 32% year on year in October 2026.

Why it matters

WorldACD relayed industry views that some e-commerce platforms are moving from individual business-to-consumer parcels toward consolidated business-to-business imports and sea or other transport. It described the change as a possible structural shift, while the reported rate increases show that lower China–Europe volume coincided with higher airfreight prices.