BEIJING, June 18 (China News Service) — Reporter from the Aviation Logistics Branch of the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing learned on the 18th that, based on statistical data, the air cargo market in May 2026 exhibited significant characteristics of “intensified divergence and structural optimization,” with the international market remaining an important growth driver for air cargo.
A-share listed airport enterprises and airlines have recently released their performance forecasts for May. In May 2026, the air cargo market showed notable features of “intensified divergence and structural optimization,” among which international cargo continued its high-growth trend, becoming the core support for the sector. Head airports and airlines dominated market growth, while regional performance diverged. Meanwhile, the cargo performance of listed airlines further diverged, with demand for high-value goods becoming an important driving force. The industry as a whole presented a complex pattern of strong international leadership, domestic adjustment and divergence, and coexistence of head concentration and regional differences.
Operational data from listed enterprises show that compared with the same period in 2025, cargo volumes at Shanghai Pudong Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Shenzhen Airport, Hainan Airport, China Eastern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and Spring Airlines achieved growth, while cargo volumes at other listed airports and airlines declined.
In terms of airports, five airports — Shanghai Airport, Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Airport, Xiamen Airport, and Hainan Airport — completed a total cargo volume of approximately 874,100 tons in May, with international routes handling 563,400 tons, accounting for about 64.45%. The international market remains an important growth point for air cargo, while domestic cargo maintained stable operations.
Data show that in May 2026, the average daily number of flights executed on domestic routes in China was approximately 11,873, a year-on-year decrease of 8.31%. (End)
