GITNUXREPORT 2025

Air Cargo Industry Statistics

Global air cargo valued at USD 106 billion, growing amid e-commerce expansion.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The implementation of sustainable aviation fuels could reduce the carbon footprint of air cargo by up to 50% by 2040

Statistic 2

Environmental regulations are expected to increase operating costs for air cargo carriers by around 10% by 2030, due to stricter emission standards

Statistic 3

The use of reusable and eco-friendly packaging in air cargo is projected to increase by 30% by 2025, emphasizing sustainability efforts

Statistic 4

The average age of aircraft used solely for cargo operations is approximately 12 years

Statistic 5

The rise of integrated express carriers has accounted for nearly 50% of global air cargo revenue in 2022

Statistic 6

Low-cost carriers are increasingly entering the air cargo market, contributing about 5% of total air freight volume in 2022

Statistic 7

The increase in dangerous goods transported by air has risen by 30% over the past five years, due to stricter shipping regulations

Statistic 8

The adoption of electric cargo aircraft is in pilot phases, with commercial deployment expected by 2030

Statistic 9

The share of ultra-long-haul flights (over 12 hours) for cargo has increased by 15% since 2015, facilitating rapid international shipping

Statistic 10

The rise of drone deliveries is expected to impact small parcel and medical supply deliveries in remote areas, projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% through 2030

Statistic 11

The introduction of AI and machine learning in air cargo supply chain management is expected to reduce operational costs by approximately 20% by 2025

Statistic 12

The number of specialized temperature-controlled air cargo flights has increased by 25% in the last five years to meet the demand for perishables and pharmaceuticals

Statistic 13

The use of big data analytics in air cargo can improve forecast accuracy for demand by up to 30%, aiding better capacity planning

Statistic 14

Approximately 90% of the world’s electronics are transported by air due to their high value and fragility

Statistic 15

The percentage of converted passenger aircraft used for dedicated cargo operations has increased from 10% in 2010 to around 20% in 2022

Statistic 16

The development of regional air cargo hubs is critical for improving supply chain resilience, with investments rising by 15% annually

Statistic 17

The average dimension of packages shipped via air cargo is approximately 1 cubic meter, facilitating logistics planning

Statistic 18

Rising demand for fast delivery has led to the expansion of regional express freight networks in Africa and South America, with growth rates exceeding 8% annually

Statistic 19

The global air cargo market was valued at approximately USD 106 billion in 2022

Statistic 20

Air cargo accounts for about 35% of world trade by value

Statistic 21

The total freight tonne-kilometers (FTK) flown worldwide reached around 93 billion in 2022

Statistic 22

The US is the largest single market for air cargo, with over 25% of global freight volume

Statistic 23

Pharmaceutical products make up approximately 6% of global air cargo by value

Statistic 24

The air cargo industry experienced a 2.4% growth rate in 2022 despite global economic challenges

Statistic 25

E-commerce growth has increased demand for air cargo services by approximately 15% annually since 2019

Statistic 26

Air cargo's share of total freight transportation increased from 12% in 2010 to about 16% in 2022

Statistic 27

The cargo-only aircraft segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 28

The global fleet of dedicated cargo aircraft numbered over 2,200 in 2022

Statistic 29

The rise of pandemics has significantly increased the demand for air freight to deliver medical supplies, increasing shipments of PPE by 80% in 2020-2022

Statistic 30

The top five airlines by air cargo revenue in 2022 included DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Emirates SkyCargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo

Statistic 31

The tourism industry indirectly influences about 20% of air cargo volume due to the movement of seasonal goods and souvenirs

Statistic 32

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in air cargo throughput, at a CAGR of 6.5% until 2030

Statistic 33

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary decline in 2020, with freight volumes dropping by 4%, but recovered in 2021 and 2022

Statistic 34

The top ten countries in air cargo throughput in 2022 accounted for approximately 75% of global air freight volume

Statistic 35

The growth of postal and courier services has contributed to an annual increase of about 3% in global air cargo volume

Statistic 36

The global air cargo industry employs approximately 2 million people worldwide, contributing significantly to local economies

Statistic 37

Cargo sales by e-commerce platforms are expected to reach USD 200 billion globally by 2025, of which a significant portion will move via air cargo

Statistic 38

The global air cargo market is projected to reach USD 200 billion by 2030 as e-commerce expansion continues

Statistic 39

The global air freight forwarding market is estimated to be worth USD 85 billion in 2022, with a growth rate of 4% annually

Statistic 40

The share of high-value goods transported by air is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2030, due to increased demand for rapid delivery

Statistic 41

The average yield per kilogram in air cargo was around USD 4.50 in 2022

Statistic 42

The average utilization rate of cargo aircraft was around 70% in 2022

Statistic 43

The average dwell time for air cargo at major airports is approximately 24 hours, impacting supply chain efficiency

Statistic 44

The implementation of blockchain technology in air cargo logistics is projected to improve transparency and reduce shipment processing times by 25%

Statistic 45

The average delivery time for express air cargo shipments is approximately 24-48 hours globally

Statistic 46

The average load factor for the global air cargo fleet was around 75% in 2022, indicating room for increased efficiency

Statistic 47

The average cargo aircraft turnaround time at major hubs is approximately 3 hours, influencing scheduling efficiency

Statistic 48

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the air cargo market with over 40% share in 2022

Statistic 49

The busiest air cargo airport in 2022 was Hong Kong International Airport, handling over 4.7 million tonnes of cargo

Statistic 50

The largest air cargo hub in Europe is Frankfurt Airport, handling over 2 million tonnes of freight annually

Statistic 51

The Asia-Pacific region is home to over 60% of the world's aerospace manufacturing and logistics facilities, boosting local cargo volumes

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Key Highlights

The global air cargo market was valued at approximately USD 106 billion in 2022
Air cargo accounts for about 35% of world trade by value
The total freight tonne-kilometers (FTK) flown worldwide reached around 93 billion in 2022
The Asia-Pacific region dominated the air cargo market with over 40% share in 2022
The US is the largest single market for air cargo, with over 25% of global freight volume
Pharmaceutical products make up approximately 6% of global air cargo by value
The average yield per kilogram in air cargo was around USD 4.50 in 2022
The busiest air cargo airport in 2022 was Hong Kong International Airport, handling over 4.7 million tonnes of cargo
The air cargo industry experienced a 2.4% growth rate in 2022 despite global economic challenges
E-commerce growth has increased demand for air cargo services by approximately 15% annually since 2019
Air cargo's share of total freight transportation increased from 12% in 2010 to about 16% in 2022
The cargo-only aircraft segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2023 to 2030
The average utilization rate of cargo aircraft was around 70% in 2022

The air cargo industry, a vital engine of global trade valued at over USD 106 billion in 2022, continues to soar as e-commerce expansion, technological innovation, and pandemic-driven demands reshape its landscape.

Environmental Sustainability and Regulation

The implementation of sustainable aviation fuels could reduce the carbon footprint of air cargo by up to 50% by 2040
Environmental regulations are expected to increase operating costs for air cargo carriers by around 10% by 2030, due to stricter emission standards
The use of reusable and eco-friendly packaging in air cargo is projected to increase by 30% by 2025, emphasizing sustainability efforts

Environmental Sustainability and Regulation Interpretation

As the air cargo industry soars toward greener skies, embracing sustainable fuels, eco-friendly packaging, and navigating rising costs, it faces the dual challenge of balancing environmental responsibility with economic resilience by 2040 and beyond.

Industry Trends and Innovations

The average age of aircraft used solely for cargo operations is approximately 12 years
The rise of integrated express carriers has accounted for nearly 50% of global air cargo revenue in 2022
Low-cost carriers are increasingly entering the air cargo market, contributing about 5% of total air freight volume in 2022
The increase in dangerous goods transported by air has risen by 30% over the past five years, due to stricter shipping regulations
The adoption of electric cargo aircraft is in pilot phases, with commercial deployment expected by 2030
The share of ultra-long-haul flights (over 12 hours) for cargo has increased by 15% since 2015, facilitating rapid international shipping
The rise of drone deliveries is expected to impact small parcel and medical supply deliveries in remote areas, projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% through 2030
The introduction of AI and machine learning in air cargo supply chain management is expected to reduce operational costs by approximately 20% by 2025
The number of specialized temperature-controlled air cargo flights has increased by 25% in the last five years to meet the demand for perishables and pharmaceuticals
The use of big data analytics in air cargo can improve forecast accuracy for demand by up to 30%, aiding better capacity planning
Approximately 90% of the world’s electronics are transported by air due to their high value and fragility
The percentage of converted passenger aircraft used for dedicated cargo operations has increased from 10% in 2010 to around 20% in 2022
The development of regional air cargo hubs is critical for improving supply chain resilience, with investments rising by 15% annually
The average dimension of packages shipped via air cargo is approximately 1 cubic meter, facilitating logistics planning
Rising demand for fast delivery has led to the expansion of regional express freight networks in Africa and South America, with growth rates exceeding 8% annually

Industry Trends and Innovations Interpretation

As the air cargo industry ages gracefully with a median fleet of just 12 years, it soaringly embraces innovative long-haul routes, smarter tech, and eco-friendly electric aircraft—signaling a high-flying pivot from reliance on sluggish, fragile deliveries to a rapid, data-driven, and green future that’s less about size and more about speed, precision, and resilience.

Market Size and Growth Dynamics

The global air cargo market was valued at approximately USD 106 billion in 2022
Air cargo accounts for about 35% of world trade by value
The total freight tonne-kilometers (FTK) flown worldwide reached around 93 billion in 2022
The US is the largest single market for air cargo, with over 25% of global freight volume
Pharmaceutical products make up approximately 6% of global air cargo by value
The air cargo industry experienced a 2.4% growth rate in 2022 despite global economic challenges
E-commerce growth has increased demand for air cargo services by approximately 15% annually since 2019
Air cargo's share of total freight transportation increased from 12% in 2010 to about 16% in 2022
The cargo-only aircraft segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2023 to 2030
The global fleet of dedicated cargo aircraft numbered over 2,200 in 2022
The rise of pandemics has significantly increased the demand for air freight to deliver medical supplies, increasing shipments of PPE by 80% in 2020-2022
The top five airlines by air cargo revenue in 2022 included DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Emirates SkyCargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo
The tourism industry indirectly influences about 20% of air cargo volume due to the movement of seasonal goods and souvenirs
Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in air cargo throughput, at a CAGR of 6.5% until 2030
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary decline in 2020, with freight volumes dropping by 4%, but recovered in 2021 and 2022
The top ten countries in air cargo throughput in 2022 accounted for approximately 75% of global air freight volume
The growth of postal and courier services has contributed to an annual increase of about 3% in global air cargo volume
The global air cargo industry employs approximately 2 million people worldwide, contributing significantly to local economies
Cargo sales by e-commerce platforms are expected to reach USD 200 billion globally by 2025, of which a significant portion will move via air cargo
The global air cargo market is projected to reach USD 200 billion by 2030 as e-commerce expansion continues
The global air freight forwarding market is estimated to be worth USD 85 billion in 2022, with a growth rate of 4% annually
The share of high-value goods transported by air is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2030, due to increased demand for rapid delivery

Market Size and Growth Dynamics Interpretation

Despite weathering global economic storms and pandemic-induced setbacks, the air cargo industry—driven by e-commerce growth, a rising share of high-value shipments, and expanding regional markets like Asia-Pacific—is soaring towards a projected USD 200 billion by 2030, underscoring that in the game of global trade, speed and agility remain the prime cargo.

Operational Performance and Efficiency Metrics

The average yield per kilogram in air cargo was around USD 4.50 in 2022
The average utilization rate of cargo aircraft was around 70% in 2022
The average dwell time for air cargo at major airports is approximately 24 hours, impacting supply chain efficiency
The implementation of blockchain technology in air cargo logistics is projected to improve transparency and reduce shipment processing times by 25%
The average delivery time for express air cargo shipments is approximately 24-48 hours globally
The average load factor for the global air cargo fleet was around 75% in 2022, indicating room for increased efficiency
The average cargo aircraft turnaround time at major hubs is approximately 3 hours, influencing scheduling efficiency

Operational Performance and Efficiency Metrics Interpretation

While the air cargo industry keeps soaring with a 75% load factor and swift turnaround times, the 24-hour dwell at airports and modest $4.50 per kilogram yield highlight that there's still significant room for efficiency and profit margins to take flight, especially as blockchain promises to recode the logistics ledger.

Regional and Market Leadership Insights

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the air cargo market with over 40% share in 2022
The busiest air cargo airport in 2022 was Hong Kong International Airport, handling over 4.7 million tonnes of cargo
The largest air cargo hub in Europe is Frankfurt Airport, handling over 2 million tonnes of freight annually
The Asia-Pacific region is home to over 60% of the world's aerospace manufacturing and logistics facilities, boosting local cargo volumes

Regional and Market Leadership Insights Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific's soaring over 60% of global aerospace and logistics facilities fueling its 40% market share—evidenced by Hong Kong's bustling 4.7 million tonnes, and Frankfurt's European prowess handling 2 million tonnes—it's clear that the region is firmly steering the skies of the global air cargo industry.