International airfreight rates have jumped by as much as 95% between February and March 2026, as the Iran War slashes available capacity and drives fuel costs sharply higher, according to Drewry Airfreight Insight.
Rates from Shanghai to Dubai have soared 95% since the start of the conflict, reaching $8.60 per kg. Drewry warns rates could surpass the pandemic record of $9.40 if fuel surcharges keep rising.
The cost pressures are hitting specific routes hard. Fuel surcharges jumped 290% month-on-month in March on Singapore to London shipments. Security surcharges rose 44% month-on-month on routes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam. On routes from Mumbai and Delhi to Madrid, all-in rates climbed an average of 27% in March, including a 21% surge in fuel surcharges.
Three of the world’s top 20 airfreight airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad, have seen flight operations reduced due to the hostilities. Airlines transiting the Middle East have also curbed operations. Middle East-connected airfreight routes account for 15.6% of global airfreight traffic and 18.2% of capacity.
About half of all international airfreight routes monitored by Drewry recorded month-on-month price increases of 20% or more in March 2026.
“The airfreight market has been dealt a two-fold blow of reduced effective available capacity and increased fuel costs,” said Philip Damas, Head of Drewry’s logistics practice.
