Freight companies report a decline in air cargo volumes. Although 2025 closed with overall growth in the logistics sector, this expansion was driven mainly by road and rail transportation.
Giorgi Zumbadze, managing partner of SKYLOG, told BM.GE that the drop in demand for charter flights is linked to the weakening of the “TEMU effect” and the fact that the Chinese platform now manages its own shipping. As a result, he says, Georgian freight operators have been pushed to the sidelines. According to him, Georgian airlines should not expect major changes in air cargo in 2026.
“There was a noticeable decline in air cargo, and there are clear reasons for that. 2025 was not a strong year for air freight globally, as volumes dropped worldwide.
However, while air cargo declined, road transport grew by 100%. Rail and sea shipments also increased, so overall cargo volumes in 2025 were significantly higher than in 2024.
TEMU works differently. Through Chinese agents, they deliver parcels themselves to destination countries, including Georgia and Armenia.
These air shipments were effectively taken away from Georgian transport companies because Chinese operators began flying the cargo to Georgia directly, using both Georgian and Chinese cargo aircraft. So, while air freight volumes may have increased in the country overall, Georgian companies were left out, since most of the Chinese cargo is transported on aircraft chartered by Chinese players,” said Zumbadze.
