• Rapid growth in global e-commerce, highlighted by J&T Express’s 26 percent rise in parcel volumes, is driving structural shifts in air cargo demand, network development, and capacity pressure
• Growth in Southeast Asia and emerging markets is reshaping key air cargo trade lanes
• Rising cross-border volumes are increasing pressure on airfreight capacity and influencing network strategies

J&T Express reported strong volume growth in the first quarter of 2026, underlining continued momentum in global e-commerce flows that increasingly underpin air cargo demand.

The company handled a total of 8.3 billion parcels in Q1, up 26.2% year-on-year, with particularly strong expansion in Southeast Asia, where volumes surged nearly 80%. Growth was also robust in emerging markets, including Latin America, supported by rising cross-border e-commerce activity. While J&T Express operates primarily in ground-based logistics, its rapid expansion, driven by partnerships with major e-commerce platforms such as Temu, SHEIN, and TikTok, highlights sustained demand for time-sensitive international shipping, much of which relies on air cargo capacity.

The increase in non-China volumes, now accounting for over 35% of total shipments, signals a continued diversification of global trade flows, with Southeast Asia and other emerging regions playing a growing role in shaping air cargo networks.

Charles Hou, Group Vice President of J&T Express, said: “J&T delivered an encouraging start to 2026 in the first quarter. In Southeast Asia and other markets, we have seized growth opportunities, continued to strengthen our infrastructure and improved operating efficiency. Rapid growth in parcel volume underscores our enhanced market expansion and operating capabilities. In China, network optimization and refined management supported steady parcel volume growth. The solid operating performance in the first quarter lays a strong foundation for the Company’s full-year results.”

As e-commerce volumes scale and delivery expectations remain high, the pressure on air cargo capacity, particularly on key Asia and transpacific lanes, is expected to persist, reinforcing the sector’s critical role in supporting global express logistics.

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