Industry: Freight Forwarding & Multimodal (Logistics & Supply Chain)
Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-air-freight-market
Scraped Date: 2026-09-17
| Market Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Market Size | USD 169.53 billion |
| Projected Forecast (2031) | USD 169.53 billion |
| Growth Rate (CAGR) | 5.85 % |
| Largest Market Region | N/A |
| Fastest-Growing Region | N/A |
!Major players in Air Freight industry
!Air Freight Market (2025 - 2030)
!Air Freight Market: Market Share by Service, 2025
!Air Freight Market: Market Share by Cargo Type, 2025
!Air Freight Market CAGR (%), Growth Rate by Region
!Air Freight Market Concentration
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!GPTW
Market Overview
Study Period | 2020 - 2031 |
Market Size (2026) | USD 169.53 Billion |
Market Size (2031) | USD 225.26 Billion |
Growth Rate (2026 - 2031) | 5.85 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | Asia-Pacific |
Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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|
Air Freight Market Analysis by Vijeron IntelligenceThe Air Freight Market size was valued at USD 160.17 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 169.53 billion in 2026 to reach USD 225.26 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.85% during the forecast period (2026-2031).
Rising cross-border e-commerce volumes, ongoing supply-chain reconfiguration, and pharmaceutical cold-chain needs are the primary forces behind this expansion. Airlines are rebalancing capacity toward specialized cargo, while passenger-to-freighter conversions support additional lift. Regulatory momentum on sustainable aviation fuel and dynamic pricing adoption is reshaping cost structures, yet overall demand remains resilient. Consolidation among forwarders and integrators indicates that scale, network depth, and technology are critical to sustaining competitive advantage in the air freight market.
Key Report Takeaways
Global Air Freight Market Trends and InsightsDrivers Impact Analysis*
Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
Expanding cross-border e-commerce shipments | +1.8% | Global, with concentration in Asia-Pacific to North America corridors | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Accelerated supply-chain needs for high-tech electronics | +1.2% | Asia-Pacific core, spill-over to North America & Europe | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Global pharmaceutical cold-chain demand | +0.9% | Global, with emphasis on temperature-controlled routes | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Resumption of trade & near-shoring urgency | +1.1% | North America & Latin America, secondary impact in Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Cargo-dedicated narrow-body conversions | +0.7% | Global, with focus on intra-regional routes | Medium term (2-4 years) |
AI-driven dynamic pricing adoption | +0.5% | Global, led by major carriers in developed markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Source: Vijeron Intelligence |
Competitive Landscape
Market concentration is fragmented. FedEx leads cargo CTKs, while Qatar Airways, UPS, and Emirates maintain sizable shares with diversified fleets. DSV’s acquisition of DB Schenker consolidates forwarding power, foreshadowing intensified scale competition. Integrated partnerships such as Air France-KLM and CMA CGM blend air and ocean strengths, offering multimodal solutions that appeal to global shippers.
Technology serves as a key differentiator. Delta trials generative AI pricing; Cathay deploys autonomous ground tractors; Emirates invests in hydrogen-powered trucks to decarbonize first-and-last-mile legs. Labor retention and sustainability investment emerge as strategic priorities. Operators capable of integrating digital platforms, green initiatives, and robust human-capital strategies are best positioned to capture future gains within the air freight market.
Air Freight Industry Leaders* FedEx Corporation
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For this study, the market is defined as revenues generated from moving goods by air across domestic and international routes. This includes carrier-provided cargo capacity and freight forwarding services across all major global regions.
Scope exclusions: Passenger ticket revenue, pure warehousing without air movement, and last mile road delivery are excluded from the market value.
The air freight market size stands at USD 169.53 billion in 2026 with a 5.85% CAGR to 2031.
Asia-Pacific leads with 40.70% revenue in 2025 and maintains the fastest 5.72% CAGR through 2031.
Near-shoring and e-commerce fulfillment boost domestic routes, resulting in a 5.43% CAGR through 2031.
Airlines invest in fuel-efficient jets, sustainable aviation fuel, and environmental surcharges to manage compliance costs.
Conversions supply cost-effective capacity tailored to mid-haul e-commerce lanes and are projected to cover over half of future freighter demand.