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Airfreight Volumes Drop to 60%, Carriers Shift Capacity to New Routes

Transportation and Logistics

Business Honor
05 June, 2025

US-China tariffs lead to a 60% airfreight drop; as shippers cancel contracts amid losses, the carriers are forced to shift capacity to other routes.

The airfreight volumes have sharply dropped due to the tension between China and the United States, forcing the carriers to change their capacity to other routes in order to keep up with the changing shipper strategy.

According to Laurent Deneubourg, VP of Global Airfreight at Seko Logistics, President Donald Trump’s strategy of imposing increased tariffs dropped the China-U.S. air cargo volumes by as much as 60%. Tariffs affect the e-commerce shipments and bookings—which make up 60% of China-U.S. air freight—dropping by 50%.

Shippers are dropping the charter flights and space contracts due to the declining volumes when the de minimis products composed over half of air freight shipments, stated Deneubourg. Over the next three years, the sector will have to face a loss of $22 billion.

According to Kronenberger "Capacity is changing as demand shifts, but routes aren't completely changed." In response, the carriers will be changing the capacity to other routes; this indicates shifting production bases as businesses seek to reduce their exposure to tariffs. Not just affecting e-commerce but also electronics, fast fashion, and automotive volumes.

This structural shift highlights broader changes in global trade patterns, as manufacturers and logistics firms look beyond traditional China-U.S. lanes. Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America are emerging as alternative hubs, drawing more air cargo capacity. Industry players must now adapt to evolving trade routes, geopolitical shifts, and uncertain demand outlooks.