# Air Freight Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031) > **Industry:** Freight Forwarding & Multimodal (Logistics & Supply Chain) > **Source:** [https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-air-freight-market](https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-air-freight-market) > **Scraped Date:** 2026-09-17 ## Executive Market Summary | 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 | ## Market Visualizations & Infographics ![Major players in Air Freight industry](images/chart_2.png) ![Air Freight Market (2025 - 2030)](images/chart_3.png) ![Air Freight Market: Market Share by Service, 2025](images/chart_4.png) ![Air Freight Market: Market Share by Cargo Type, 2025](images/chart_5.png) ![Air Freight Market CAGR (%), Growth Rate by Region](images/chart_6.png) ![Air Freight Market Concentration](images/chart_7.png) ![footer background image](images/chart_10.png) ![Vijeron Intelligence on Facebook](images/chart_12.svg) ![Vijeron Intelligence on Pinterest](images/chart_14.svg) ![Vijeron Intelligence on Instagram](images/chart_15.svg) ![ESOMAR](images/chart_17.png) ![GPTW](images/chart_19.png) ## Comprehensive Research Analysis ### Overview Points List Flex 49 Share Feature End 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 Image © Vijeron Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. | ### Market Overview 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 * By service, Freight Transport is set to capture 5.02% CAGR growth through 2031, while Freight Forwarding held 44.50% of the 2025 air freight market size. * By destination, Domestic traffic is projected at 5.43% CAGR to 2031, although International service controlled 83.50% of 2025 volume within the air freight market. * By cargo type, Special Cargo is increasing at a 4.73% CAGR to 2031, whereas General Cargo held 62.40% of the 2025 air freight market size. * By end-user, Manufacturing & Automotive owned 28.70% of the air freight market share in 2025, but E-commerce & Retail shows a 5.22% CAGR to 2031. * By geography, Asia-Pacific accounted for a 40.70% air freight market share in 2025 and is advancing at a 5.72% CAGR through 2031. ### Key Market Trends 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 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 * Emirates SkyCargo * Qatar Airways Cargo * Delta Cargo * Cathay Pacific Cargo * *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Vijeron Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. ### Scope Methodology P Space 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. ### Segmentation Container * By Service* Freight Transport (Cargo/CEP) * Freight Forwarding * Other Value-Added Services (Customs brokerage, insurance, etc.) * By Destination* Domestic * International * By Carrier Type* Belly Cargo * Freighter * By Cargo Type* General Cargo * Special Cargo * By End-User Industry* E-commerce & Retail * Manufacturing & Automotive * Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals * Perishables & Fresh Produce * High-Tech & Electronics * Others * By Geography* North America* United States * Canada * Mexico * South America* Brazil * Peru * Chile * Argentina * Rest of South America * Asia-Pacific* India * China * Japan * Australia * South Korea * South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines) * Rest of Asia-Pacific * Europe* United Kingdom * Germany * France * Spain * Italy * BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) * NORDICS (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) * Rest of Europe * Middle East and Africa* United Arab of Emirates * Saudi Arabia * South Africa * Nigeria * Rest of Middle East And Africa ## Frequently Asked Questions #### How big is the air freight market in 2026? The air freight market size stands at USD 169.53 billion in 2026 with a 5.85% CAGR to 2031. #### Which region holds the largest share of global air cargo? Asia-Pacific leads with 40.70% revenue in 2025 and maintains the fastest 5.72% CAGR through 2031. #### What drives the fastest growth within domestic air cargo? Near-shoring and e-commerce fulfillment boost domestic routes, resulting in a 5.43% CAGR through 2031. #### How are carriers coping with stricter emission rules? Airlines invest in fuel-efficient jets, sustainable aviation fuel, and environmental surcharges to manage compliance costs. #### Why are passenger-to-freighter conversions important? Conversions supply cost-effective capacity tailored to mid-haul e-commerce lanes and are projected to cover over half of future freighter demand.