Forwarders are not expecting a peak season for transpacific air cargo this year, but demand remains strong in key verticals, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

US tariffs and the removal of duty-free status for low-value goods have dampened overall demand. However, perishables and hyperscaler-semiconductor shipments continue to grow, driven by investment in AI infrastructure.

Stefan Paul, CEO of Kuehne+Nagel, said hyperscalers accounted for half of the company's seven per cent year-on-year growth in third-quarter air freight volume. Its Asia subsidiary, Apex Logistics, operates 14 charter flights out of Hanoi serving high-tech clients.

Martin Habisreitinger, COO of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, noted a shift in origin points, with more cargo moving from Southeast Asia - including Vietnam, Thailand and India - rather than China.

Mr Habisreitinger said there was no pre-Golden Week surge in demand, a break from historical patterns. Falling ocean freight rates have also reduced the incentive to switch to air cargo.

DSV CEO Jens Lund expects global air freight growth to lag behind GDP in the fourth quarter. DSV's third-quarter volume rose 64 per cent to 579,000 metric tonnes, but growth was flat without DB Schenker's contribution.