TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — EVA Air said Friday it expects freight demand to rise in July due to a possible shift from sea to air cargo.

EVA Air President Sun Chia-ming (孫嘉明) said at a shareholder’s meeting that easing US-China tariff tensions could trigger a mid-year logistics shift, as longer customs clearance for sea shipments makes air freight more attractive, per CNA.

The airline posted a record revenue of NT$206.6 billion (US$6.89 billion) last year, up 10% from 2022, driven by a full recovery in passenger traffic and double-digit growth in cargo volume and prices. The rebound was fueled by post-pandemic travel demand and solid e-commerce and tech shipments.

While the e-commerce segment has been hit by recent US tariffs on small Chinese parcels, Sun said demand has not disappeared. Still, longer delivery windows due to customs bottlenecks may frustrate buyers and shift volumes to air freight.

E-commerce accounts for 20% of EVA Air’s cargo, which includes steady shipments of electronics across Southeast Asia, including routes to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, Liberty Times reported.

Meanwhile, to boost passenger revenue, Eva Air is rolling out a series of cabin upgrades this year. These include a new fourth-generation premium economy cabin on Boeing 787-9 jets, and upgraded in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi on Airbus A321s.

Although seating will drop by 26 per aircraft after reconfiguration, EVA said it expects revenue per seat to climb. The airline also plans to expand its network, with new routes to Kobe and Dallas launching this year as part of its growth strategy.