Middle East air cargo rates surge 61% year on year

Air cargo rates from the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) rose 61% year on year in the week of 12–18 October, the highest increase among all regions tracked by WorldACD Market Data. Rates from the region also rose 2% week on week, while shipments from Dubai to Europe grew 5%.

The annual rise in rates reflects changing market conditions across key air cargo routes, with pricing from MESA increasing faster than in other regions.

Cargo volumes from India and Bangladesh to the US rose 34% and 44%, respectively, compared with the same week last year. This helped drive a 24% annual increase in total MESA shipments to the US, showing continued demand for air freight on the route.

Globally, air cargo volumes increased 2% week on week as exports from Asia-Pacific recovered after the Golden Week holiday. Available capacity also grew 2%, while average global rates rose 4%.

The figures cover the week from 12 to 18 October 2026. WorldACD tracks air cargo volumes, capacity and pricing across major global trade lanes.