Dhaka, April 16 -- Global air cargo demand rose by only 2pc year-on-year in January 2025, marking a slower-than-expected start to the year and a sharp contrast to the double-digit monthly gains recorded throughout 2024.

Despite concerns that rising tariff tensions could trigger a trade war and dampen growth, analysts at Xeneta caution that such fears may be premature.

January's data was impacted by the earlier Lunar New Year reducing volumes out of China, but the big drop in demand was still as a surprise, says Xeneta's Chief Airfreight Officer, Niall van de Wouw.

However, van de Wouw sees no immediate reason to change Xeneta's +4-6pc growth forecast for global air cargo in 2025 despite the market's nervousness over new tariffs introdu...