Impact of US Tariffs and De Minimis Exemption on Transpacific Freighter Flights

Transpacific freighter flights have yet to recover post-Chinese New Year, showing a 13% decline, equivalent to 12 daily flights, according to Rotate data. This could reflect the effects of US tariffs on China, compounded by the short-lived removal of the de minimis exemption. While network carriers have seen a minimal drop, charter and integrator carriers have experienced significant reductions. The steep decline in demand, particularly for e-commerce flights, makes it difficult to separate the impact of tariffs from the seasonal effects of the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day flower season.