AI boom reshapes Asian air cargo, eclipsing e-commerce

The global AI race is redrawing Asia's air cargo map, with semiconductor demand replacing cross-border e-commerce as the main growth driver. Airlines like Korean Air report AI-related cargo surging 46% in Q2, overtaking China e-commerce shipments. Tighter US and EU import rules have slowed e-commerce, while multi-year orders for advanced chips and data center investments boost high-tech freight. Airlines are redesigning networks around semiconductor hubs in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.