Global air freight rates ease 1.1% as peak season demand remains strong

Global air freight rates eased by 1.1% in the seven days to November 2, 2026, but remained 22.8% higher year on year, according to the latest data from TAC Index. Rates continued to stay above the highest levels recorded during the previous two peak seasons, supported by high jet fuel prices and strong demand, with several weeks of the traditional peak period still remaining.

The global Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) recorded a 1.1% decline over the week. However, rates remained significantly higher than a year earlier.

On major outbound lanes from China, rates fell slightly week on week to Europe, where volumes and rates have been affected since the end of the previous de minimis exemption for small parcels into the European Union in July. However, rates continued to rise strongly on Transpacific routes to the US.

Spot rates from Hong Kong increased over the week. The full index of outbound routes from Hong Kong (BAI30), which reflects both spot and forward rates, rose by 0.7% week on week to stand 28% higher year on year. Outbound rates from Shanghai (BAI80) increased by 2.8% over the week and were 14.4% higher than a year earlier.

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