News / Air freight rates expected to hit $10/kg – but Atlas keeps aircraft grounded

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Forwarders are anticipating ad hoc air freight rates of $10 per kg, as shippers become desperate to release goods from China with little or no belly capacity.

One Chinese forwarder said he expected a 777 or 747 aircraft to soon cost $1m, or $10 per kg, and spot rates have already increased twice in the past couple of days, by Rmb10 ($1.43) or more per kg to Europe.

“We do expect a possible third increase towards the weekend,” he added.

He said there ...