Air Cargo

  • Pallets of baby formula are unloaded from a FedEx cargo plane upon arrival at Dulles International Airport on May 25, 2022 in Dulles, Virginia.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FedEx details contingency plans after MD-11 fleet grounding

    The company is leveraging its ground transportation network and airlift partners as it awaits inspections of its MD-11s, CFO John Dietrich said.

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
  • Workers prepare to offload an incoming FedEx plane at a FedEx global hub, one of only seven in the U.S., on December 16, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Air cargo rates fall as top trade lanes see ‘subdued’ peak season

    Global spot prices dropped for the sixth consecutive month, and current market signals don’t suggest a near-term turnaround, according to Xeneta.

    By • Nov. 12, 2025
  • Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles on February 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

    Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • A DHL airplane is pulled at Benito Juarez International Airport on December 23, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Hector Vivas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    DHL Express sees US-bound volume drop post de minimis

    The carrier is focusing on cost savings, growth in other trade lanes and additional measures as the exemption's end shakes up supply chains.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025
  • UPS cargo being loaded or unloaded from an airplane
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of UPS
    Image attribution tooltip

    UPS, FedEx ground dozens of aircraft at Boeing’s recommendation

    The halt to MD-11 flight operations comes after the deadly crash of a UPS aircraft of that type in Louisville, Kentucky.

    By • Nov. 8, 2025
  • A plane is loaded at an airport with the New York City skyline and the moon in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andres Kudack via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FAA’s air traffic cuts aren’t hampering cargo flows — yet

    The agency ordered a 10% reduction of flights at numerous airports due to a government shutdown. Here’s what shippers need to know. 

    By • Updated Nov. 10, 2025
  • Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stephen Cohen via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    UPS plane crash kills at least 9, disrupts package sorting

    The incident in Louisville, Kentucky, halted operations at the company's top air hub Tuesday night and could delay some package deliveries.

    By • Nov. 5, 2025
  • Delta Airplane Cargo
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Delta Cargo/DeliverDirect
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by DeliverDirect

    DeliverDirect redefines small package delivery as traditional carriers shrink

    Delta Cargo’s DeliverDirect, powered by SmartKargo, is redefining small package delivery with faster, transparent and reliable e-commerce shipping.

    Oct. 27, 2025
  • Pallets of baby formula are unloaded from a FedEx cargo plane upon arrival at Dulles International Airport on May 25, 2022, from Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How UPS, FedEx and DHL Express handle customs hangups post-de minimis

    As parcel carriers try to help shippers navigate U.S. regulatory changes, experts say there are ways to limit negative customs outcomes, such as package disposals.

    By • Oct. 22, 2025
  • A DHL aircraft on a tarmac with branded cargo boxes in the forefront
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of DHL
    Image attribution tooltip

    US tariffs impact seasonal air cargo flows in September

    The average spot price fell 4% year over year to $2.54 per kilogram, per a Xeneta report.

    By • Oct. 9, 2025
  • A visualization of a Vela trimaran sailboat on the open ocean
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Vela
    Image attribution tooltip

    Takeda to test wind-powered cargo vessel

    The drug company plans to ship refrigerated pharmaceuticals on startup Vela's first commercial voyage to the U.S. next year.

    By • Oct. 8, 2025
  • Ikea Global Sustainability Manager Elisabeth Munck af Rosenschöld speaks during a panel session about maritime decarbonization at TPM24 in Long Beach, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alejandra Salgado/Supply Chain Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Top supply chain conferences to keep on your radar in 2026

    Next year’s trade shows will showcase resilience strategies, technology adoption and talent development as companies contend with tariff volatility and other challenges. 

    By • Oct. 2, 2025
  • Workers prepare to offload an incoming FedEx plane at a FedEx global hub on December 16, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Burton / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FedEx to launch healthcare-focused DUB-IND air cargo route

    The flight, which will also transport other high-value verticals, is expected to cut transport times by one day, Chief Customer Officer Brie Carere said.

    By • Sept. 23, 2025
  • Airline workers load cargo into an All Nippon Airways passenger plane at Los Angeles International Airport on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Falling air cargo spot rates signal market uncertainty

    Despite the downward pressure, demand for air cargo increased 5% YoY in August.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking in the White House's Rose Garden.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Appellate court rules Trump’s global tariffs illegal, but delays action

    The court intends to strike down the tariffs by mid-October, pending a Supreme Court review of the ruling.

    By • Sept. 1, 2025
  • Panelists discuss strategies for tariff resiliency across operations at a July 23 Supply Chain Dive Outlook event.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nathan Owens/Manufacturing Dive

    Image attribution tooltip

    Tariff strategies, economic clouds: What to know for the rest of 2025

    Industry experts discussed commodity markets and logistics changes at Supply Chain Dive’s annual outlook event.

    By • Aug. 19, 2025
  • UPS cargo being loaded or unloaded from an airplane
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of UPS
    Image attribution tooltip

    July air cargo volumes up as shippers circumvent tariffs

    Global spot rates from Southeast Asia to North America fell 16% YoY as capacity constraints eased.

    By • Aug. 13, 2025
  • Virtual panelists on a screen
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kelly Stroh/Supply Chain Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    De minimis’ end may boost intermodal cross-border activity

    Meanwhile, the eradication of the exemption for shipments from China and Hong Kong is roiling the air cargo sector, according to industry experts.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • Airline workers load cargo into an All Nippon Airways passenger plane at Los Angeles International Airport on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Air cargo prices lose more altitude in June

    Most trade lanes recorded year-over-year rate declines as tariff uncertainty and excess capacity spurred a broad market slowdown, Xeneta reported.

    By • July 23, 2025
  • UPS cargo being loaded or unloaded from an airplane
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of UPS
    Image attribution tooltip

    Postal Service’s air cargo shift from FedEx to UPS creates savings

    The agency's air transportation spending dropped 43% after changing its primary carrier, per the USPS Office of Inspector General.

    By • July 9, 2025
  • B777 freighter on a tarmac with four people holding signage about a new Singapore-U.S. air cargo route.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of FedEx
    Image attribution tooltip

    FedEx cuts Asia-Americas capacity to match trade demand

    Despite the overall reduction, the carrier has made network changes to capture growth in Southeast Asia, including a Singapore-to-U.S. flight.

    By • July 8, 2025
  • Speakers speak on a panel at Manifest Vegas 2024.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kelly Stroh/Supply Chain Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Top supply chain conferences to keep on your radar in 2025

    As the first half of the year wraps up, here’s a look at the remaining trade shows focused on adopting technology innovations, navigating logistics risks and securing new talent.

    By • Updated June 30, 2025
  • Cargo is being loaded onto a 777 freighter aircraft
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of DB Schenker
    Image attribution tooltip

    Air cargo spot rates drift downward in May

    Spot prices fell for the first time in a year, likely due to declining consumer sentiment and international trade uncertainty, Xeneta reported.

    By • June 20, 2025
  • Air cargo gets loaded onto a United Airlines 777 aircraft to support Hawaii wildfire disaster relief
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by United Airlines
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tariffs, de minimis changes spark air cargo capacity shifts

    The countries of origin on Transpacific routes are changing as shippers move production out of China.

    By • June 4, 2025
  • In this photo illustration, the Temu app is displayed on a smartphone on Feb. 4, 2025 in San Anselmo, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    How lower China tariffs will affect direct-to-consumer imports

    Temporarily reduced duties likely won't be enough to stop ongoing shifts among de minimis-reliant supply chains, experts said.

    By • May 21, 2025
  • A plane within the A320 passenger aircraft family is pictured at the assembly line at the Airbus factory on Jan. 18, 2022, in Hamburg, Germany.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Morris MacMatzen via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US launches Section 232 probe into aircraft industry

    The Commerce Department is weighing whether sector-specific tariffs are necessary to protect national security.

    By • May 13, 2025