[Finance] AI Servers Boost Air Cargo, EVA Air: Charters and Urgent Orders Both Heating Up
bella@@ 央廣 新聞11h ago
The outbreak of AI server shipments has driven air cargo rates to remain high. EVA Air General Manager Sun Chia-ming stated that demand for charter flights and urgent orders is simultaneously increasing, with North America and Southeast Asia routes playing a crucial role. This year, AI accounts for 40-50% of air cargo, and with the traditional peak season in the second half of the year, cargo volume and prices are expected to continue rising. By 2028, the freighter fleet will expand by 3 aircraft to 12, increasing cargo capacity.
The AI wave is sweeping the globe, boosting exports of high-tech products and injecting strong momentum into the air cargo market. EVA Air General Manager Sun Chia-ming said that demand for AI servers this year has been "very hot all year round," and the air cargo market remains highly active, lasting longer than expected.
He pointed out that AI servers are high-priced and have large cargo volumes. In addition to general bookings, customers are actively inquiring about charter flights and dedicated cargo space services, leading to double-digit growth in cargo volume at Taoyuan Airport.
Sun Chia-ming stated that air cargo rates have increased this year compared to last year. The second half of the year will see the peak season for electronics shipments, and overall rates are expected to strengthen further. Currently, the average rate for the US route is over US$10 per kilogram. Although fuel surcharges have slightly decreased due to recent oil price fluctuations, market demand remains strong.
He noted that AI-related cargo currently accounts for about 40-50% of EVA Air's cargo business, with an increasing proportion of urgent orders. Many customers are willing to pay higher prices to secure shipping, further boosting overall cargo revenue. Due to the large size and high weight of AI servers, most require dedicated freighters and are difficult to transport in the belly holds of passenger aircraft, making freighter capacity even more critical.
In response to market demand, Sun Chia-ming said that EVA Air currently operates 9 freighters and is continuing its plan to convert 3 passenger aircraft into freighters. However, due to the conversion location in Israel and the impact of the local situation, the schedule has been slightly delayed. The first conversion is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with one aircraft delivered annually thereafter. By 2028, the freighter fleet will expand to 12 aircraft, primarily serving North American and Southeast Asian routes.
Regarding AI cargo flows, Sun Chia-ming stated that demand is currently strongest in the North American market, with Southeast Asia also rapidly emerging. Key semiconductor and electronics manufacturing hubs such as Penang, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangkok, Thailand, are experiencing robust two-way cargo traffic, indicating the continuous expansion of the AI supply chain and bringing stable growth momentum to the air cargo market. (Editor: Liu Hsiang-hua)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=217309
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