News / Geopolitical tension tempers airfreight optimism as spot rates fall

Geopolitical tensions and slower-than-recent-average growth in December tempered the optimism of an airfreight sector that otherwise “cruised” into 2025 following 2024’s booming global rate gains.

Xeneta’s end-of-year market report noted that 2024 ended with the 14th consecutive month of double-digit demand growth, December recording an 11% year-on-year uptick in volumes, driving spot rates 15% higher than 12 months prior.

With end-of-year spot rates at a global average of $2.99 per kg, Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer, Niall ...