BUSINESS

Air Cargo Rates Surge as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Global Routes

Published: Apr. 14, 2026 12:25 a.m. GMT+8

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A KLM cargo aircraft is parked on the tarmac at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida. Photo: VCG

Global air cargo rates are surging as the ongoing Middle East conflict forces carriers to bypass traditional Gulf hubs and absorb rising fuel costs.

Average global freight prices climbed to $3.1 per kilogram in the week ending April 5, a 21% increase from a year earlier, according to market data provider WorldACD.

Regional airspace closures have severely constrained international supply chains and triggered a rapid restructuring of aviation networks, adding hours to flight times and imposing war-risk premiums on shippers worldwide.

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Global air cargo rates reached $3.1/kg (week ending Apr 5), up 21% YoY per WorldACD, despite 9% WoW volume drop.
Middle East conflict halved Gulf capacity since late Feb; rates from region to Europe/US up 87%/71% YoY; shifts to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Saudi hubs.
Rerouting adds 1-3 flight hours, raises fuel costs; Doha/Bahrain at <7% normal, India faces 5-7 day delays.

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Who’s Who

WorldACD: WorldACD reports average global air freight prices at $3.1 per kg for the week ending April 5, up 21% year-on-year, amid Middle East conflict disruptions.

VariFlight: Aviation data provider VariFlight reported cargo connectivity at Qatar’s Doha and Bahrain hubs fell to less than 7% of normal levels. Freight operations in Istanbul, Baku, Cairo, and Riyadh exceeded prewar baselines. Hong Kong-Doha flights sharply reduced, while Hong Kong-Baku traffic nearly doubled.

C.H. Robinson: C.H. Robinson, a global logistics provider, states that rerouting flights over Central Asia or North Africa adds one to three hours of flying time, significantly increasing fuel consumption and operating costs.

AI generated, for reference only