Asia-to-North America airfreight rates post strong annual gains in May

Despite data by Asian carriers of a solid 12.2 percent increase in volumes and a 4.7 percentage-point increase in freight load factors (FLF) for the month of May, Drewry’s East-West Airfreight Price Index dropped by 3.1 percent, month-over-month, in May on Asia-to-North America routes.

That’s not necessarily bad news. The market research firm noted that a decline from April is in line with long-term trends, and that June is usually the start of month-over-month increases that carry for the rest of the year.

Moreover, Drewry’s Index is now 5.3 percent above where it was in May 2016, indicating “strong underlying market fundamentals.” Looking ahead, Drewry expects airfreight rates to rebound in June.