According to Air Cargo News, air cargo demand is showing sharp divergence across key verticals, with data centre-related imports surging while e-commerce shipments between China and the European Union plummeted in July.
Data Centre Demand Soars Amid AI Infrastructure Buildout
Speaking at the EU Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum in Liege, Maarten Wormer, head of consulting at Aevean, reported that US air imports tied to data centres rose 103% year on year over the first seven months of 2026. In July alone, those volumes reached 107,000 ton — equivalent to 1,000 freighter flights. Within this segment, network equipment imports jumped 130%, power infrastructure grew 37%, computer components rose 86%, and servers surged 181%.
E-Commerce Volumes Collapse Under New EU Levy
In stark contrast, e-commerce air cargo from China to the EU fell 29% year on year in July, following the introduction of a €3 charge on low-value package imports. As Maarten Wormer noted, the decline began earlier in France: volumes dropped 30% in March when France implemented its own levy in anticipation of the broader EU measure. By July, e-commerce volumes into France had plunged 64%.
Overall Air Cargo Market Grows Despite Vertical Divergence
Despite the steep drop in China-EU e-commerce traffic, the global air cargo market expanded overall in 2026. According to Aevean figures, total air cargo volumes for the first seven months of the year rose 5.8% year on year. Growth was led by Asia Pacific–to–North America lanes, which increased 24% versus 2025 levels. Asia Pacific–to–Europe volumes rose 4%, intra-Asia traffic improved 8%, and Asia Pacific–to–South America also gained 8%. The only major trade lane in decline was Asia Pacific–to–the Middle East, impacted by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Source: Air Cargo News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
