If you've been watching air freight trends over the past couple of years, you've probably noticed a pattern: e-commerce was the unstoppable force. Cross-border parcels from China flooded the transpacific, filling bellies and freighters alike. But the landscape has shifted-and shifted fast.
According to new data from Trade and Transport Group (TTG), general cargo imports have overtaken e-commerce as the primary driver of air freight demand on the transpacific. Asian air exports to the US jumped 21.5% last year, and growth has only accelerated in the first months of 2026. The real headline, though, is where that growth is coming from.
WorldACD data shows a dramatic reversal: Southeast Asia has become the number-one origin region for air cargo growth, while China has dropped to third place. The fastest-growing trade lane this year? Southeast Asia to the US-followed by North-east Asia to Southeast Asia, and China to Southeast Asia.
What's driving this? The "China + 1" strategy is no longer a theoretical supply-chain buzzword-it's a logistics reality. Manufacturers are moving operations to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and the cargo is following. High-tech components, semiconductors, electronics, and industrial parts are pouring out of the region. One industry observer put it bluntly: "The move of production and therefore cargo to Southeast Asia has definitely been intensified by geopolitical forces".
For businesses that have built their supply chains around Chinese origins, this shift creates both challenges and opportunities. The geography of growth is changing. And if your logistics partner is still thinking in old patterns, you're going to feel the squeeze.
This Is Where XMAE Logistics Comes In
At XMAE Logistics, we've been watching this shift unfold in real time. Our network spans over 100 overseas agents, and we're fully accredited with IATA, FIATA, FMC, and NVOCC. That matters because when trade lanes reconfigure, you need a partner who can move with them-not someone who's locked into a single corridor.
Our air freight services cover the full spectrum: from urgent Airway Cargo and Air Cargo Delivery to specialized DDU and DDP solutions that handle the entire risk chain. Whether your goods are heading from a new factory in Vietnam to a warehouse in Chicago, or from an established supplier in Xiamen to a distribution center in Europe, we have the carrier relationships and the route expertise to get them there-on time, without surprises.
One of the biggest challenges in today's market is capacity. With demand surging out of Southeast Asia and fuel costs putting pressure on operations, space is tight. That's where our experience pays off. We've been in the freight forwarding business for over a decade. We don't just book space-we secure it, using our established carrier relationships and volume commitments to get priority access when others are scrambling.
We also understand that shifting trade flows mean shifting complexity. Maybe you need to split a large airfreight order into express deliveries. Maybe you're dealing with customs in a new origin country for the first time. Maybe you need door-to-door delivery from a supplier you've never worked with before. Our team handles it all-from major Chinese ports like Xiamen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, to emerging hubs across Southeast Asia.
And we do it with transparency. No hidden fees, no vague warnings about capacity crunches. Just clear, upfront communication about costs, space, and timelines.
The Bottom Line
Southeast Asia isn't just a temporary bright spot in air cargo-it's the new center of gravity. The manufacturing diversification we're seeing is a long-term structural shift, not a seasonal blip. If your supply chain hasn't adapted yet, now is the time.
At XMAE Logistics, we're ready to help you navigate this new landscape. Whether you're shipping high-value electronics, time-sensitive components, or full container loads, we combine global reach with local expertise to keep your cargo moving-no matter where the trade winds blow.
Contact our team today to discuss your air freight needs and get a real-time quote.
