Air freight and air cargo are among the most vital components of global logistics, enabling the fast, secure, and efficient transportation of goods over long distances. These services are indispensable for industries requiring timely delivery, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce. Despite comprising less than 1% of global trade by volume, air freight accounts for approximately 35% of global trade value, underscoring its importance in high-value and time-sensitive shipments.
Understanding Air Freight and Air Cargo
Air freight involves the transportation of goods via airplanes, either through dedicated cargo flights or by utilizing the cargo space available on passenger aircraft. Air cargo encompasses the entire logistics chain for air shipments, including freight forwarding, cargo handling, customs clearance, and last-mile distribution.
Market Size and Growth Projections
The global air freight market was valued at approximately USD 250 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 5.3% over the next decade. By 2035, the market is expected to reach nearly USD 420 billion. Growth is fueled by several drivers including the rapid expansion of e-commerce, globalization facilitating cross-border trade, and the increasing demand for expedited delivery of pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishable goods.
Asia-Pacific currently leads the global air freight market in volume, accounting for nearly 40% of total shipments, followed by North America and Europe. Emerging economies in this region continue to invest heavily in expanding air cargo infrastructure and increasing fleet capacity to meet growing demand.
Advantages of Air Freight
Speed remains the most compelling advantage of air freight. The ability to deliver goods within hours or a few days is vital for sectors handling perishable items or emergency supplies. Reliability stems from stringent security protocols and improved communication facilitated by real-time tracking technologies. Air freight can also reach remote orlandlocked regions where other forms of transportation may be infeasible or slow.
Additionally, innovations like temperature-controlled cargo containers support the safe transportation of sensitive goods such as vaccines and fresh produce, safeguarding product quality from origin to destination.
Challenges and Sustainability Efforts
While air freight provides unmatched speed and reliability, the industry faces challenges such as fluctuating fuel prices, complex international regulations, capacity constraints at major hubs, and increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions. In response, airlines and logistics providers are rapidly embracing green technologies including electric and hybrid aircraft development, SAF adoption, and carbon offset programs.
The Future of Air Freight and Cargo
Looking ahead, air freight will continue adapting to the fast-changing demands of global trade. The growth of e-commerce, particularly in emerging markets, will hasten the need for faster and more flexible air cargo solutions. AI-driven predictive analytics, blockchain for enhanced transparency, and autonomous cargo drones represent transformative technologies expected to shape air freight.
Industry Leaders Driving Innovation
The air freight landscape is dominated by several key players renowned for their extensive global networks and innovation:
FedEx Express: Known for its global express parcel service and extensive air cargo fleet, pioneering integrated logistics solutions.
DHL Aviation: A leader in international express shipping with advanced digital tools for cargo tracking and supply chain optimization.
Kuehne+Nagel: A premier freight forwarding specialist offering technologically empowered air freight services.
UPS SCS : Offers a vast cargo network with specialized handling capabilities.
Cargolux: Focuses exclusively on air freight with a modern fleet and operational excellence.