Source: Supply Chain Dive
Date: 8th July 2026 

Strong demand for AI infrastructure and advanced chips continues to boost air freight volumes despite easing geopolitical pressures.

Global air cargo demand remained resilient in June as shipments linked to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and semiconductor production continued driving strong growth across major trade lanes.

According to the latest market data, worldwide air cargo volumes increased 7% year-on-year in June, while global average spot rates reached approximately US$3.40 per kilogram, representing a 38% increase compared with the same period last year.

AI Replaces E-commerce as the Primary Growth Driver. For the past several years, cross-border e-commerce has been the dominant contributor to air cargo demand.

However, industry analysts now indicate that AI-related hardware, data centre equipment and semiconductor shipments have become the primary drivers of growth, particularly across the Asia-Pacific to North America corridor.

Although AI cargo represents a relatively small share of total air freight volume, its high value, urgency and specialized handling requirements are generating strong demand for premium air cargo capacity.

Semiconductor Production Supports Trans-Pacific Trade. The continued expansion of semiconductor manufacturing is strengthening demand across trans-Pacific air freight markets.

Taiwan, which remains one of the world’s leading producers of advanced semiconductors, has experienced exceptionally strong economic growth as global investment in AI technologies accelerates.

At the same time, worldwide semiconductor sales have reached record levels, supporting sustained demand for high-value component shipments between Asia and North America.

Air Freight Rates Remain Elevated. The strongest pricing gains continue to be seen on Asia-North America trade lanes.

Spot rates from both Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia to North America have risen by more than 40% since late February, reflecting robust demand for AI-related cargo and advanced electronic components.

In contrast, the Europe-North America market has experienced softer pricing due to different supply and demand conditions.

Capacity Improves as Regional Tensions Ease. While air freight rates remain significantly above last year’s levels, the pace of growth has begun to moderate.

Additional cargo capacity is gradually returning as operations across the Middle East normalize following recent geopolitical disruptions, helping relieve some pressure on global air freight networks.

Industry analysts expect market conditions to stabilize progressively, although AI-driven demand continues to provide strong underlying support for air cargo markets.

Companies shipping semiconductors, electronics, AI equipment and other high-value products may continue facing elevated air freight rates and strong competition for available capacity, particularly on Asia-North America routes.

Businesses should secure capacity early for time-sensitive shipments and monitor market developments as AI investment continues driving demand.

The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is reshaping global logistics flows. Growing demand for semiconductors, servers, networking equipment, and electronic components is increasing reliance on premium air freight services while reinforcing the strategic importance of Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs.

As AI investment continues worldwide, supply chains supporting technology manufacturing are likely to remain one of the strongest contributors to global air cargo demand.

Artificial intelligence is no longer transforming only the technology sector; it is also reshaping global logistics.

The surge in semiconductor production and AI infrastructure investment is creating a new generation of high-value, time-critical cargo that increasingly relies on air freight. While geopolitical tensions continue to influence transportation markets, AI-driven demand is emerging as one of the strongest long-term growth engines for the global air cargo industry.