The end of the US de minimis exemption for Chinese e-commerce parcels has reshaped transpacific air cargo flows, prompting carriers to redeploy capacity to Southeast Asia and Latin America, reports London's Air Cargo News.

Air freight traffic from China to the US dropped over 30 per cent in May, leading to widespread cancellations of cargo charters. OEC Group halted its weekly Shanghai-US consolidations, citing diminished viability.

Freighters previously serving the Pacific were redirected to Asia-Europe and Latin America, where demand for e-commerce remains strong. Nippon Cargo Airlines resumed Frankfurt flights to diversify its market coverage.

Air Canada reported a surge in Latin American traffic, with growth exceeding 100 per cent. E-commerce volumes from China via Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei declined or shifted to ocean freight, affecting those gateways.

Despite tariff disruptions, transpacific air cargo demand and pricing remained relatively stable through the summer, with week-to-week changes in low single digits, according to United Cargo's Jan Krems.

DHL resumed Shenzhen-Los Angeles flights, and rates from southern China began rising again in September, Dimerco reported.

Export flows from China to Southeast Asia and onward to North America have strengthened. Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia are seeing increased demand for AI servers, electronics and consumer goods.

Vietnam's air freight tonnage rose 12.5 per cent year-on-year in the first half, with capacity from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City up 17 and 11.2 per cent respectively. Long Thanh International Airport is set to open next year.

Vietnam Airlines plans to carry 346,000 tonnes this year, up 11.5 per cent from 2024, and will launch a freight subsidiary. OEC is hiring in Vietnam to meet rising demand.

North American carriers face challenges accessing Southeast Asia due to Russian airspace restrictions. Air Canada relies on interline partnerships via Tokyo and Seoul to supplement lift.

United connects to Southeast Asia through Hong Kong and Japan, but capacity from Singapore is limited. It uses short-term contracts and partnerships, notably with All Nippon Airways, to expand reach.

NCA aims to extend its Southeast Asia footprint following its merger with ANA. The airlines will operate separately but collaborate more closely, leveraging ANA's intra-Asian freighter network and daily connections to Bangkok and Taipei.

Future plans include aligning with ANA's passenger services to add North American points such as Seattle, Vancouver, Washington and Houston, boosting capacity to LA and New York.