Explained: Why air cargo defied forecasts — 2026 market outlook

Air cargo wasn’t supposed to look this strong. Tariffs, the end of de minimis, political whiplash, war, and supply chain reshuffles all pointed to a difficult year. But the opposite happened.

In this air cargo special — produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group — I break down why the market held up, how shippers and carriers adapted, and what the data really says about the year ahead.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why air cargo defied expectations

• The impact of US tariffs and the end of de minimis

• China vs Southeast Asia sourcing shifts

• E-commerce, AI hardware demand and capacity rerouting

• Anchorage and Miami’s record volumes

• The 2026 outlook: risks, growth drivers and unknowns

Featuring interviews with:

Glyn Hughes, Director-General, TIACA

Andrea Nicole Wilson, VP, Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association

Sean Dolan, CEO, Northlink Aviation

Dimitrios “Jimmy” Nares, Cargo Development, Miami International Airport

Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association

Jaime Alvarez, Director of Cargo, Copa Airlines

If you want straight-talking analysis on air cargo and global trade, this one’s for you.