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China–Europe Air Cargo Softens as Central Asian Corridors Expand

  • Aug 12
  • 2 min read

🚨 Market Signal

China–Europe freight markets are moving in two different directions. Air cargo volumes and spot rates from China to Europe declined in July, while Central Asia continued to expand physical capacity across the Middle Corridor. Kazakhstan improved ferry handling at Kuryk Port and launched a new road project linking east-west freight flows more directly with the Caspian, while the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway moved deeper into active construction. Together, these developments point to more land-based routing capacity alongside softer conditions in the China–Europe air freight market. 


In this edition, we explore the latest decline in China–Europe air cargo rates and volumes, Kuryk Port’s capacity upgrades, Kazakhstan’s new Aral–Caspian highway project, and the latest construction progress on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.



China–Europe Air Cargo Rates and Volumes Declined

Air cargo demand from mainland China and Hong Kong to Europe weakened further in July, accompanied by a significant decline in spot rates.

  • Combined China and Hong Kong–Europe tonnage fell 9% month-on-month and 12% year-on-year in July.

  • Mainland China–Europe volumes declined 5% week-on-week in week 31, while Hong Kong–Europe volumes fell 3%.

  • WorldACD recorded mainland China–Europe spot rates falling 29%, from US$5.43/kg in week 25 to US$3.86/kg in week 31.

  • Independent Xeneta data also showed China–Western Europe spot rates falling 22% month-on-month to US$4.15/kg in July.



Kuryk Port Cut Ferry Processing Times

Cathay Cargo launched regular cargo operations to Astana on 1 August, adding dedicated air freight capacity between Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and the carrier’s wider Asia–Europe network.


  • The first scheduled Cathay freighter arrived at Astana International Airport on 1 August 2026.

  • The service is expected to operate up to five times per week. Flights are operated with Boeing 747 freighters, including the B747-8F and B747-400F.

  • The Astana stop integrates Kazakhstan into an established long-haul freighter network connecting Asian and European cargo markets.


Kazakhstan Launched the Aral–Caspian Highway Project

Kazakhstan started construction of the 800-km Beineu–Saksaulsk highway, designed to connect east-west freight routes more directly with the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk.

  • Construction was launched on 3 August, with completion targeted for 2029.

  • The new connection is expected to shorten China–Europe freight routes by approximately 1,000 km and up to three days.

  • Together with two related road projects, the program covers 1,574 km, with annual freight volumes projected to rise 2.5 times to 13.2 million tonnes.


China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Construction Advanced

Construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is progressing across multiple sections in Kyrgyzstan, with Uzbek officials reporting that implementation is ahead of the original schedule.

  • Work is underway on 83 of 107 construction sections, with around 19.6 million m³ of earthworks completed out of 56.1 million m³ planned.

  • Uzbek officials say the originally planned five-year construction period could be shortened by one year; this remains an official forecast rather than an independently confirmed commissioning date.

  • Designed freight capacity is expected to reach up to 15 million tonnes annually.

  • The planned railway could shorten routes from China toward Europe and the Middle East by nearly 900 km and reduce delivery times by 7–8 days, with future integration into the Middle Corridor/TITR.


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