Air Cargo

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    Year in pictures

    Tariffs, strikes and tragedies: How 2025 transformed supply chains

    Supply chains faced tumult, with changes to U.S. trade policies and labor unrest contributing to a mosaic of uncertainty. Here is a visual look at the busy year.

    By , , , , , • Dec. 22, 2025
  • A Federal Express cargo plane flies over Nickerson Beach on July 20, 2022 in Lido Beach, New York, United States.
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    Bruce Bennett/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx expects $175M impact from MD-11 fleet grounding

    Costs will be particularly elevated this month as the carrier leans on outsourced air cargo capacity during the peak season, CFO John Dietrich said.

    By • Dec. 19, 2025
  • Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles on February 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    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
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    Dani James/Supply Chain Dive
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    Victoria’s Secret faces merchandise glut from ocean freight shift

    The retailer is shifting to maritime shipping instead of air freight to fight tariffs, which is increasing inventory levels.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • Cathay Cargo 747 Freighter on a tarmac
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    Courtesy of Cathay Cargo
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    November air cargo volumes up as shippers stick to traditional cycles

    Prices declined across all major trade lanes, with the average global spot rate standing at $2.73 per kilogram, down 5% YoY, Xeneta reported.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • Shipping containers sit stacked in a port on June 09, 2022 in Bayonne, New Jersey.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Port Authority of New York, New Jersey head to step down

    Rick Cotton is set to retire in January after more than eight years at the helm of the agency overseeing the two states' major transportation and trade assets.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • A person drives a forklift in front of a cargo airplane that is being loaded.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    FAA ends air traffic cuts as air cargo avoids meaningful impact

    Flight operations have returned to normal after the agency terminated an order to reduce activity by up to 10% earlier this month.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
  • Pallets of baby formula are unloaded from a FedEx cargo plane upon arrival at Dulles International Airport on May 25, 2022 in Dulles, Virginia.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    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
  • A DHL airplane is pulled at Benito Juarez International Airport on December 23, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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    Hector Vivas via Getty Images
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    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
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    Courtesy of UPS
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    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.
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    Andres Kudack via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Stephen Cohen via Getty Images
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    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
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    Permission granted by Delta Cargo/DeliverDirect
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    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.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    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
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    Courtesy of DHL
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    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
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    Courtesy of Vela
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    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.
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    Alejandra Salgado/Supply Chain Dive
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    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.
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    Andrew Burton / Staff via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Nathan Owens/Manufacturing Dive

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    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
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    Courtesy of UPS
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    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
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    Kelly Stroh/Supply Chain Dive
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    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.
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    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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    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
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    Courtesy of UPS
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    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