• Escalating tensions involving Iran are already creating ripple effects across global air cargo markets, according to new data shared by CargoAi.
• Matt Petot, Chief Executive Officer of CargoAi, said disruptions affecting Middle Eastern operations are tightening capacity across several key trade lanes, reflecting the region’s central role in global cargo connectivity.

The escalation of the Iran conflict is already creating a ripple effect across global air cargo markets.

Middle Eastern carriers play a critical role in the global network, acting as major hubs connecting Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. As disruptions affect their operations and airspace routing, capacity tightens across multiple trade lanes, which is reflected in the latest market data: Europe–Middle East rates are up +22%, Asia–North America +12%, and Europe–Asia +9%, while some markets remain flat or slightly softer as flows rebalance (for example North America–Europe −9% and Asia–Europe −1%).

At the same time, the conflict is pushing oil prices higher, which will inevitably translate into increased fuel surcharges in the coming weeks, adding further pressure to air freight rates worldwide.

In this environment, having live market visibility is critical. CargoAi users can monitor these changes in real time directly on our platform, with continuously updated rate data and operational insights. In 2026, relying on traditional datasets that come with a one-month lag simply no longer works, the market now moves too fast.

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