According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global demand for international air cargo increased by 3.2% compared to September 2024 — marking the seventh consecutive month of growth.
This growth reflects a structural shift in global trade: while demand on the North America–Asia route declined by 3.5% YoY, this was more than offset by a strong increase on Asia–Europe (+12.4%), Asia–Africa (+9.6%), and Asia–Middle East (+4.6%) routes.
“While many feared a contraction in global trade, we are seeing that air cargo has successfully adapted to changing market demands,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Air Astana Fleet Expansion
In early November, Air Astana announced the largest aircraft order in its history — up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This new contract supplements a previous agreement for three aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027, bringing the total number to 18 aircraft. Two aircraft are expected to join the fleet in 2026, another in 2027, and the remaining deliveries will take place between 2032 and 2035. The order opens new opportunities for strategic expansion of long-haul routes over the next decade.
Route Network: New Destinations
On 3 November, SCAT Airlines operated its inaugural flight from Astana to Belgrade. The route will run twice a week using a Boeing 737.
SCAT Airlines also announced plans to launch a Kazakhstan–Latvia route in spring 2026.
Starting 1 December 2025, Thai AirAsia X will operate flights between Almaty and Bangkok four times per week using a wide-body Airbus A330. The airline’s network covers major destinations in Southeast Asia, including Japan and South Korea. The launch of Bangkok flights will expand cargo opportunities to and from Southeast Asia.
Korean Route Capacity
At the end of October, flight load factors on the Seoul–Almaty route rose sharply due to a temporary schedule adjustment by Asiana Airlines (ICN–ALA). The change led to a noticeable reduction in available capacity and an increase in freight rates. Currently, direct cargo options from South Korea are available via Air Astana and Asiana Airlines (AirZeta), with additional capacity provided by Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Silkway, and AirAsia. WELLGO expects high load factors to persist until the end of the year due to the upcoming peak season.
European Air Freight
In recent weeks, load factors have also increased on European routes. As of early November, the average waiting time for departures from some European airports is up to one week. During November, available capacity and freight rates will be influenced by mid-month public holidays and the seasonal rise in demand ahead of the winter peak. WELLGO recommend planning shipments in advance with your partners and considering cargo consolidation from multiple shippers to optimize freight costs to Kazakhstan.
Air Freight from China
With all national holidays now concluded, the main driver of capacity availability in China will be market demand. Demand began to rise in early November but has not yet affected rates — average departure waiting time remains under one week. However, WELLGO expects higher rates and longer transit times in the second half of the month. Currently, the most efficient direct flight options from China are:
Shandong Airlines SJW(URC)–ALA
Tianjin Air Cargo TYN–ALA
China Eastern Airlines PVG–ALA
The international road freight market in October was influenced by several key factors:
Despite the reopening of the Poland–Belarus border, long queues persist at border crossings into the EU.
Customs clearance times for goods entering the EU have slowed significantly, leading to longer waiting times.
Controls on cargo moving from China through Kazakhstan have been tightened, increasing the number of inspections.
At the peak of congestion on the China–Europe corridor, an estimated 20,000 vehicles were queued at various checkpoints. This directly impacted vehicle availability, freight costs, and offer validity — with rates changing daily and some drivers cancelling confirmed bookings to take more profitable routes.
Road Freight from Europe
By late October, the European trucking market had stabilized, but new restrictions continue to add uncertainty. On 29 October, Lithuania closed several border checkpoints with Belarus until 30 November (potentially longer). This route had been one of the key routes from Europe; its closure redirected traffic to the Poland–Belarus crossings, causing longer queues, warehouse congestion, and higher transport costs. In addition, pre-holiday demand is driving furouther price increases. WELLGO expects a gradual rise in freight rates through the end of the year. At the end of October, Samruk-Kazyna and Azerbaijan’s transport holding AZCON signed a memorandum on cooperation for the joint development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The agreement includes plans to introduce new RoPax-class ferries on the Caspian Sea, to be built by Baku Shipyard. Although no delivery timeline has been announced, seasonal weather conditions are already affecting the southern route, with ferry waiting times in Baku reaching up to two weeks.
Average transit times by route:
Northern Route (via Russia): 1–2 days for border crossing
Southern Route (via the Caspian Sea): Ałat–Kuryk ferry waiting time 2–2.5 weeks
Road Freight from China
By early November, inspection frequency at the China–Kazakhstan border — previously noted in October — has significantly decreased. Border crossing is now managed through electronic queue booking, although the general trend remains toward higher demand and rising rates.
Current status of major border crossings:
Dostyk–Alashankou: queue booking 1 week in advance; paid fast-track booking 2 days
Altynkol–Khorgos: booking at least 1 month in advance; paid fast-track booking 3 days