However, elevated inventories due to frontloading may leave less to ship, possibly dampening Q4 peak season air cargo demand, Xeneta reported. Here is a mid-year look at three key factors that will shape the air cargo sector in the back half of 2026. “Shippers should — how should I say this — not expect a huge price cut in air freight services anytime soon.” In Q2 of this year, forwarders were procuring nearly 50% of air freight volumes on the spot market. On a broader level, June air cargo demand saw a significant 7% year-over-year boost from AI-related shipments, Xeneta reported.