India–US air cargo volumes rise 15% year on year in late January
Shipments from India continued to grow in week 4 of 2026, extending the strong momentum seen in the final months of 2025
India’s air cargo shipments to the US continued to record strong year-on-year growth in late January 2026, despite higher tariffs imposed by the US in the second half of 2025, according to WorldACD Market Data’s Weekly Air Cargo Trends for week 4.
During the week from 19 to 25 January, cargo volumes from India to the US rose by 15 per cent compared with the same period last year, extending the growth seen in the final two months of 2025. India remained the largest origin market within the Middle East and South Asia region, which continued to post strong year-on-year gains.
Overall, air cargo tonnages from the Middle East and South Asia region increased by 10 per cent year on year in week 4. Shipments from the region to the US were up by 11 per cent, while volumes to European markets rose by 7 per cent over the same period.
At a global level, air cargo demand broadly stabilised in the third full week of 2026 following its recovery from the year-end slump. Worldwide chargeable weight increased by 1 per cent week on week, supported by higher volumes from Asia Pacific and Central and South America.
The gains were partly offset by a week-on-week decline in traffic from North America, where severe winter storms disrupted airport operations and led to widespread flight cancellations across the US and Canada.
Despite these disruptions, total global air cargo volumes in week 4 were 3 per cent higher year on year. However, capacity expanded at a faster pace, rising by 6 per cent compared with last year, placing downward pressure on air freight rates, which were 1 per cent lower year on year.
On a week-on-week basis, average global rates edged up by 2 per cent to US$2.43 per kilo after reaching a low point earlier in January. WorldACD said the pace of the rate recovery was slower than last year, reflecting higher available capacity.
Traffic volumes from Asia Pacific to the US and Europe flattened in week 4 after two weeks of strong recovery. Volumes to the US were marginally lower year on year, while shipments to Europe remained higher compared with the same period last year.