Weekly Air Operations Update: Asia to Europe, US and Australia 28/03/25

General overview:

Due to the fire at Heathrow Airport on the 21^st March, the airport was closed on the same day, resulting in the cancellation of various flights for the day. The space of all routes to the UK is very tight, and the backlog has become more serious.

Backlog issues in EU and AU routes have not improved either, with all flights fully booked and dwell time taking 3-4 days.

Shanghai to London

• Airport operations are currently normal
• Haulier service is normal
• On 21.March, various flights were cancelled due to the fire issue at LHR airport.
• Weather is normal
• Space is getting tight
• Air rates are increasing

Shanghai to New York

• Airport operations are currently normal
• Haulier service is normal
• No flight cancellation
• Weather is normal
• Space is getting tight
• Air rates are increasing

Shanghai to Los Angeles

• Airport operations are currently normal
• Haulier service is normal
• No flight cancellation
• Weather is normal
• Space is getting tight
• Air rates are increasing

Shanghai to Frankfurt

• Airport operations are currently normal
• Haulier service is normal
• No flight cancellation
• Weather is normal
• Space is getting tight
• Air rates are increasing

Shanghai to Melbourne

• Airport operations are currently normal
• Haulier service is normal
• No flight cancellations
• Weather is normal
• Space is very tight
• Air rates are increasing

Shanghai to Sydney

• Airport operations are currently normal
• Haulier service is normal
• No flight cancellations.
• Weather is normal
• Space is very tight
• Air rates are  increasing

Market intel

TAC rates from China increase on EU, America lanes.

 Global air freight rates rising on the TAC Index out of China on lanes to Europe and North America, reports Mumbai's Stat Trade Times.

"The global Baltic Air Freight Index calculated by TAC was up 2.3 per cent over the week to March 17, leaving it ahead by +4.3 per cent over the past 12 months.

Sources said rates were generally being pulled up by rising spot prices, particularly on Transpacific routes.

Rates out of China were rising in the last week on lanes to Europe and North America, leaving them at similar levels to 12 months ago, the update added.

"The index of outbound routes from Hong Kong was up 1.2 per cent, but higher on nearly all major lanes, leaving it up by some 7.9 per cent."

Elsewhere from Asia, rates were more mixed with falls on lanes to Europe from Vietnam, Bangkok and Seoul and gains on lanes from India to Europe and the US as well as from Vietnam to the US.