Drewry Airfreight Price Index

Data Transportation

Source: Drewry
Source Link: https://www.drewry.co.uk/
Frequency: Monthly
Next Release(s): April 30th, 2026 9:30 AM

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The Drewry Airfreight Price Index for the month is up 4% from February, 10% higher than a year ago. The war triggered a surge in airfreight rates from the afflicted region, with pricing from Dubai to Europe jumping 56-65% from February, while rates from Abu Dhabi to Europe climbed more than 42%. Airfreight rates from South and Southeast Asia also show an immediate impact, as an estimated 30% of Asia-Europe air cargo is routed via Middle Eastern hubs. Rates from India to Europe rose 22-34%. Further pricing pressure could come from mode shifts of strategic commodities like fertilizer stranded by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Drewry Airfreight Price Index slipped 1% from January to a global average rate of $3.28, which was 8% higher than 12 months ago. Asia-Europe was the only sector showing upward price momentum in both directions, with rates climbing 2% westbound and 4% in the opposite direction. Transpacific pricing was flat westbound but sank 4% eastbound. Likewise, transatlantic pricing was unchanged out of North America while falling 7% westbound. Year on year all three major traffic arenas displayed sharp directional contrasts in pricing. Rates out of Asia to Europe and North America were up in double-digits on both sectors from a year earlier, whereas pricing to Asia from these origins fell by double digits. The transatlantic market also showed a double-digit drop westbound, while the average rate in the opposite direction climbed in single digits.
The Drewry Airfreight Price Index shows a 16% drop in the average global airfreight rate from December to $3.31, but this was still 2% higher than the average price in January 2025. Rates out of Asia to Europe and North America fell 21% month on month in both sectors, while pricing into Asia from these regions declined 9% out of Europe but rose 3% transpacific westbound. On a more granular level, rates from Hong Kong and China to North America slumped in double digits but were more than 11% higher than a year earlier. Likewise, pricing from China to Europe dropped, but remained elevated year on year. Pricing from Southeast Asian gateways to the US slipped between 4% and 7% but was mostly up annually in single-digit percentages. Rates from India to Europe retreated from December levels, while pricing from the Middle East to Europe changed in low single digits.
The Drewry Airfreight Price Index jumped 10% from November to a global average of $3.92. Rates increased across all sectors, led by a 14% surge in eastbound transpacific pricing, while rates on the westbound Asia Europe sector climbed 11%. The average rate from Europe to Asia rose 7% and transpacific westbound prices were up 2% from November. Transatlantic rates rose 2% in both directions, reflecting reduced belly capacity. Year on year rates were still lower than a year ago, both between Asia and Europe and on the transpacific sector, as well as out of India to Europe, which saw double-digit drops on most routes. The Drewry Airfreight Price Index shows an overall decline of 18% from December 2024, with rates down in all sectors except transatlantic eastbound, led by a 43% slump in rates from Europe to Asia.