Airfares from Japan to North America, long-term contract fares double in some cases

Airfreight rates from Japan to North America are rising. Although the recent demand from Japan has slowed down compared to the beginning of the year and spring, the increase was dragged up by the rising freight rates from China and other Asian countries. Both spot rates and file rates (long-term contracted fares) have risen, and although file rates vary depending on the contract between the forwarder and the airline, it seems that in some cases the rates doubled from the start of the summer timetable in the October revision. Since the spread of the new coronavirus infection, freight rates have continued to rise and remain at high levels, and with the further increase in freight rates, it has been difficult to pass freight costs on to shippers and customers.