AI infrastructure fuels growth in China's air cargo sector

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is contributing to strong growth in China's air cargo sector, as rising exports of high-value equipment increase demand for international freight services. Industry data show that shipments linked to AI infrastructure are becoming an important driver of the country's air transport market.

According to official statistics, China's exports of cloud computing equipment increased by 114.4 per cent year on year between January and May 2026, while exports of semiconductor equipment rose by 91.5 per cent over the same period. The growth has been accompanied by higher demand for transporting servers, data storage systems, fibre-optic equipment and other components used in computing centres.

China has also expanded its international cargo network. During the first half of 2026, the country launched 92 new international air cargo routes, adding more than 210 weekly return flights, reports Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS.

Moreover, larger computing infrastructure projects have increased the need for specialised freight services capable of handling oversized and precision equipment, contributing to the expansion of premium air cargo solutions.

According to the source, AI-related cargo shipments increased by 20 per cent year on year in 2025, while such goods accounted for 53.5 per cent of the total value of air-transported trade despite representing only 7 per cent of cargo volume. It is expected that there will be continued investment in AI infrastructure to support further growth in the sector.