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Abu Dhabi Airport has strengthened its position in the global air cargo market with the launch of direct freighter services by Thailand-based carrier K-Mile Air, creating the first dedicated air cargo connection between Abu Dhabi and northern Thailand. The new service, which commenced on May 4, will operate five weekly Boeing 767 freighter flights linking Zayed International Airport (AUH) with Chiang Mai International Airport and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport.
The partnership significantly expands Abu Dhabi’s growing freight network, increasing the emirate’s direct freighter connectivity to 36 destinations worldwide. Industry observers view the move as another milestone in Abu Dhabi’s strategy to establish itself as a leading multimodal logistics and cargo hub connecting Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
The launch comes amid robust cargo growth across Abu Dhabi Airports’ network. According to recent operational data, overall cargo traffic at the airport operator increased from 1,878 tonnes per day at the beginning of the year to 2,216 tonnes per day during the latest reporting period, marking an 18% rise. Dedicated freighter cargo volumes recorded even sharper growth, surging 119% from 389 tonnes to 851 tonnes daily.
Freighter operations now account for 38% of Abu Dhabi Airports’ total cargo throughput, supported by a 42% increase in daily freighter movements. Wide-body freighter operations have also expanded by approximately 55%, reflecting rising long-haul cargo demand and increasing utilisation of Abu Dhabi’s aviation infrastructure.
Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said the addition of K-Mile Air demonstrates the emirate’s ability to scale cargo operations despite global supply chain volatility. He noted that both Zayed International Airport and Al Ain International Airport are playing an increasingly important role in regional logistics and international trade connectivity.
The expansion aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader economic diversification strategy and complements ongoing investments in logistics infrastructure, free zones, and industrial corridors such as KEZAD. Analysts believe stronger air cargo connectivity with Southeast Asia could enhance trade flows in electronics, perishables, automotive parts, and e-commerce shipments.
In the first quarter of 2026, Abu Dhabi Airports handled 171,794 tonnes of cargo, up 4.2% year-on-year, while dedicated freighter cargo at Zayed International Airport rose 11.4% to 58,128 tonnes. Al Ain International Airport also reported a sharp 45.9% increase in cargo volumes, underlining Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a diversified logistics gateway in the Gulf region.
Air cargo demand increased by 4% in April 2026 compared to last year, as trade by air kept supply chains moving amid disruptions. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 4.0% compared to April 2025 levels for international operations. However, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), fell by 0.4% compared to April 2025 and by 0.9% for international operations. “Air cargo demand grew 4% year-on-year in April, driven by strong Asia-linked trade flows. But this positive news masks a more complex operating environment. Severe disruption at major Gulf hubs due to the war in the Middle East continued to reshape trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors. With dedicated freighters carrying much of the growth, air cargo is once again keeping supply chains moving amid trade disruptions. The coming months will test how well the sector can absorb continued geopolitical uncertainty and elevated operating costs,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. He added that dedicated freighters are carrying much of the growth, helping air cargo keep supply chains moving amid trade disruptions. "The coming months will test how well the sector can absorb ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and high operating costs," he noted. Global trade fell by 2.1% month-on-month in March, following four consecutive months of growth, showing the vulnerability of trade to geopolitical shocks. Jet fuel prices spiked in April, rising 121.1% year-on-year, alongside a 77.7% increase in crude oil prices. Regionally, Asia-Pacific airlines experienced a 10.5% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in April, the highest rise among all regions. Capacity increased by 5.3% year-on-year. Middle Eastern carriers were the hardest hit, facing an 18.2% year-on-year drop in air cargo demand in April, the weakest performance among all regions. Capacity declined by 22.9% year-on-year. For more such news and updates, visit CARGOCONNECT.
The global air cargo market is showing renewed resilience, with Asia-Pacific emerging as the key driver behind a rebound in worldwide freight tonnages after months of volatility and holiday-led slowdowns. According to recent data from WorldACD Market Data, cargo volumes from the region surged sharply in mid-May, helping lift global air freight demand despite persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The recovery follows a seasonal dip caused by the “Golden Week” holidays in China and Japan, along with Children’s Day celebrations in South Korea. During week 20 of the year, chargeable weight from Asia-Pacific origins rose by 11 percent week-on-week, restoring shipment levels to those seen before the holiday lull. China and Hong Kong recorded notable gains, while Japan and South Korea posted particularly strong recoveries as manufacturing and export activity resumed. The resurgence in Asia-Pacific volumes played a decisive role in pushing worldwide air cargo tonnages up by around 3 percent week-on-week. Industry analysts noted that without the rebound from Asia-Pacific, global freight growth would have remained largely subdued. At the same time, cargo flows from Europe and the Americas weakened due to seasonal disruptions and softer demand conditions. Despite the increase in shipments, global spot rates remained relatively stable, signalling a more balanced market compared with the sharp pricing fluctuations witnessed earlier this year. Average worldwide spot rates hovered around US$3.67 per kilogram, while contract rates edged slightly higher due to improved demand from North America. Capacity trends also reflected cautious optimism. Worldwide air cargo capacity increased marginally, supported mainly by Asia-Pacific and Middle East-South Asia routes. However, overall global capacity still remains below pre-conflict levels due to disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region. Airlines continue to face operational challenges as security concerns and rerouted services affect network planning and aircraft utilisation. Another positive development for carriers has been the moderation in jet fuel prices. Lower fuel costs have helped ease pressure on operating margins and reduced the likelihood of significant freight rate spikes in the near term. Even so, fuel prices remain elevated compared to last year, keeping cost management high on the agenda for airlines and freight operators. Industry observers believe the latest rebound highlights the central role of Asia-Pacific in global supply chains, particularly as manufacturers and retailers continue to rely on air freight for time-sensitive shipments, e-commerce flows and high-value goods. However, market sentiment remains cautious amid ongoing trade policy shifts and changing cargo patterns between Asia and North America. As global supply chains continue to stabilise, the coming months will be closely watched for signs of sustained demand growth, especially from Asia-Pacific export markets that remain critical to the health of the international air cargo industry. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!Top of Form
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued its steady cargo recovery trajectory in April 2026, handling 423,000 tonnes of cargo, a 4.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The growth reinforces HKIA’s position as one of the world’s leading air cargo gateways and highlights the resilience of Asia-Pacific supply chains despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. According to figures released by Airport Authority Hong Kong, the rise in cargo throughput was largely driven by strong transshipment activity, which surged 20.2 percent year on year during the month. Import cargo volumes also posted healthy growth of 6.5 percent, while the decline in exports narrowed significantly to just 0.3 percent, signalling improving global trade demand. Cargo flight movements at HKIA increased 4.3 percent to 6,605 flights in April, underlining continued demand for air freight services across regional and long-haul markets. Europe and Southeast Asia emerged as key growth drivers, offsetting weaker demand from North America and the Middle East, where ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to impact trade and logistics flows. For the first four months of 2026, HKIA processed 1.63 million tonnes of cargo, representing year-on-year growth of 3.7 percent. Total flight movements during the same period rose 5.1 percent to 135,090. On a rolling 12-month basis, the airport handled 5.12 million tonnes of cargo, up 2.9 percent compared with the previous year. Industry analysts note that Hong Kong’s cargo sector continues to benefit from robust cross-border e-commerce flows, high-value electronics shipments, and expanding transshipment operations connecting mainland China with global markets. The airport’s extensive connectivity and cargo handling infrastructure remain central to its competitive advantage in the global logistics landscape. HKIA’s performance also aligns with broader momentum across Hong Kong’s aviation sector. The airport retained its title as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2025, marking the 15th time it has achieved the distinction since 2010. Airport Authority Hong Kong has continued investing in cargo capacity expansion, digitalisation initiatives, and specialised handling capabilities for pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce shipments. Meanwhile, Cathay Cargo also reported improved freight volumes in April, reflecting sustained demand on routes connecting Asia with the Americas and Europe. The airline cited growth in semiconductor, technology, and pharmaceutical shipments as important contributors to cargo performance. Despite ongoing concerns around geopolitical instability and shifting trade patterns, HKIA’s latest cargo figures indicate that the airport remains a critical node in global supply chains. As international trade volumes gradually stabilise and e-commerce continues to drive air freight demand, Hong Kong appears well positioned to maintain its leadership role in the global air cargo industry. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
