Forwarders are not expecting a traditional peak season for transpacific air cargo this year, citing weakened demand from US tariffs and the end of duty-free imports on low-value goods, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

Stefan Paul, chief executive of Kuehne + Nagel, said growth is being driven by two verticals - perishables and hyperscaler-related semiconductors - with hyperscalers accounting for half of the company's seven per cent year-on-year air freight volume increase in the third quarter.

Mr Paul noted that Apex Logistics, the company's Asia subsidiary, operates 14 charter flights out of Hanoi serving hyperscaler and high-tech clients, with capacity directed toward the US.

Martin Habisreitinger, air freight chief operating officer at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, said demand is shifting from China to Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, Thailand and India emerging as key origins.

Mr Habisreitinger added that there was no pre-Golden Week surge in cargo, breaking historical patterns. Falling ocean freight rates have also reduced pressure on air cargo demand.

DSV chief executive Jens Lund said global air cargo growth will likely remain below GDP growth in the fourth quarter. DSV's third-quarter volume rose 64 per cent to 579,000 metric tons, but growth was flat without DB Schenker's contribution.