The challenge begins when a shipper decides that waiting for a delayed vessel is more expensive than paying a premium for air freight, industry leaders told the group's conference in Miami.

Despite the implementation of the updated Air Cargo Advance Screening requirements being pushed back to May 2027, compliance will be difficult, industry leaders told the Tiaca conference.

While the rate of expansion has begun to flatten out, data center investment by big tech is expected to increase over 40% year over year to $1 trillion in 2027, noted the air cargo analyst.

After years of capacity shocks, geopolitical conflict and shifting trade policies, a panel of shipper executives told a Tiaca conference they placed greater value on reliable logistics partners and less on securing the lowest possible freight rate.

Demand by hyperscalers is driving the volume, particularly on the trans-Pacific, but general high-tech products and restocking ahead of November’s online shopping promotions are also filling freighters.

Demand by hyperscalers is driving the volume, particularly on the trans-Pacific, but general high-tech products and restocking ahead of November's online shopping promotions are also filling freighters.

The forwarder reported strong growth in volume, capturing significant market share in the ocean and high-yielding air freight sectors.

With solid revenue maintained through most of 2026 and a strong end-of-year performance expected, the group has raised its full-year profit forecast by almost 8%.

Freighter operators are adjusting aircraft deployment, schedules and allocations as booking activity takes off on trans-Pacific, intra-Asia and Africa routes.

Volume on the Asia-North America trade lane has recovered rapidly from the summer slowdown, with demand growth shrugging off soaring fuel prices and elevated rates.

But whether the market's mid-year resilience will carry through to the end-of-year peak season remains unclear with rates beginning to ease.

New rules on low-value European imports are already changing market behavior, but the full impact on volume has yet to be measured just one month after the elimination of the de minimis exemption.

While the AI equipment boom competes with e-commerce for air freight capacity out of Asia, the fast-growing tech shipments offer better yields and more opportunities for logistics providers.

The momentum generated by air and ocean demand during the quarter is expected to continue through the second half of the year, the company's CEO said.

Given the volatile market environment, airlines have started reviewing fuel surcharges every two weeks as most long-haul freighter operators prepare to pass on the latest spike in prices to customers.

The forwarder joins several other companies in the transport and logistics sector that have also raised their profit guidance following better-than-expected results.

The forwarder gathered momentum through the second quarter, largely driven by the ongoing integration of Schenker business and strong performance from the air freight and contract logistics divisions.