GITNUXREPORT 2025

Air Cargo Statistics

Air cargo industry grows rapidly driven by e-commerce, technology, and sustainability.

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 carbon footprint per tonne-km for air cargo is approximately 1.2 kg CO2e

Statistic 2

The impact of sustainability initiatives has led to a 10% reduction in carbon emissions per tonne-km for some carriers by 2023

Statistic 3

The use of biofuels in air cargo aircraft increased by 30% in 2023 as part of sustainability efforts

Statistic 4

The average aircraft utilization for freighters has increased to roughly 10 hours/day during peak seasons

Statistic 5

The average delivery time for air freight is approximately 3-5 days, significantly faster than sea freight

Statistic 6

The implementation of blockchains in air cargo supply chains improved tracking accuracy by 20% in 2023

Statistic 7

Automation in warehouses handling air cargo has increased efficiency by 25% in recent years

Statistic 8

The average age of cargo aircraft is approximately 9 years, indicating a relatively modern fleet

Statistic 9

The use of artificial intelligence in optimizing air cargo routes increased efficiency by 18% in 2023

Statistic 10

The average length of haul for international air cargo is approximately 3,500 km, allowing for rapid cross-continental shipments

Statistic 11

The average load factor for air cargo aircraft was around 65% in 2023, reflecting utilization levels

Statistic 12

The adoption of electronically controlled cargo doors increased safety and reduced delays by 12% in 2023

Statistic 13

The average number of flights dedicated to cargo transport per day globally is approximately 6,000, indicating high operational volume

Statistic 14

The use of predictive analytics in air cargo management improved on-time deliveries by 15% in 2023

Statistic 15

The global air cargo fleet includes nearly 850 dedicated freighter aircraft, with average age under 10 years, indicating a modern fleet

Statistic 16

The global air cargo market was valued at approximately $116 billion in 2022

Statistic 17

Air cargo volume reached around 65 million tons globally in 2022

Statistic 18

Approximately 12% of global export value is transported via air cargo

Statistic 19

The average freight rate per kilogram in air cargo increased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2022

Statistic 20

Perishable goods such as pharmaceuticals and fresh produce constitute about 15% of air cargo

Statistic 21

The air cargo industry supports over 4.2 million jobs worldwide

Statistic 22

Asia-Pacific dominates global air cargo growth with a 5.2% CAGR from 2018-2023

Statistic 23

In 2022, China was the largest exporter by value using air cargo, accounting for over 20% of global air freight exports

Statistic 24

The use of e-commerce has increased air cargo demand, contributing to about 50% of all air freight in 2023

Statistic 25

The top five air cargo airlines by revenue in 2023 include FedEx, DHL, Emirates SkyCargo, Cargolux, and Qatar Airways Cargo

Statistic 26

Investment in new wide-body air freight aircraft is projected to reach $15 billion in 2024

Statistic 27

The urban air cargo market is growing rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate of 12% forecast through 2027

Statistic 28

The global express cargo segment accounts for approximately 70% of total air cargo revenue

Statistic 29

Air cargo accounts for less than 1% of global freight transported but around 35% of global trade value by volume

Statistic 30

The air cargo industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $180 billion by 2030

Statistic 31

The share of narrow-body aircraft used for cargo has increased by 15% since 2020, mainly for regional routes

Statistic 32

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15% drop in air cargo volume in the first half of 2020, but demand recovered quickly afterward

Statistic 33

The Middle East region's air cargo traffic increased by 10% in 2023, driven by Dubai and Qatar hubs

Statistic 34

The percentage of shipped pharmaceuticals via air cargo has increased by 20% since 2019, reflecting growth in healthcare logistics

Statistic 35

The capacity of dedicated cargo aircraft worldwide has grown by over 25% since 2019, reaching approximately 4 million tonnes annually

Statistic 36

The total number of registered dedicated cargo aircraft worldwide exceeds 2,300 units, indicating a growing specialized fleet

Statistic 37

Air cargo handling capacity at global airports increased by 7% in 2023, reaching over 100 million tonnes annually

Statistic 38

The cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport was over 4.8 million tonnes in 2022, remaining the world’s busiest

Statistic 39

The global market share of airline alliances in air cargo is about 75%, with alliances such as Star Alliance and Oneworld leading

Statistic 40

The growth of e-commerce logistics has increased the demand for small parcel air freight, which now makes up approximately 40% of all air cargo

Statistic 41

The total value of goods transported via air cargo globally exceeded $6 trillion in 2022, demonstrating its importance to international trade

Statistic 42

The volume of express parcel shipments via air increased by 22% in 2023 compared to 2022, driven by e-commerce

Statistic 43

The integration of drone delivery for small cargo items in urban areas is projected to grow by 20% annually until 2027

Statistic 44

The most common types of cargo transported by air include electronics (35%), pharmaceuticals (20%), and perishable food (15%)

Statistic 45

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 35% of the world's air cargo traffic

Statistic 46

The top five air cargo hubs are Hong Kong, Memphis, Shanghai, Incheon, and Dubai

Statistic 47

The rapid growth of re-shoring and near-shoring strategies increased demand for air cargo in regions such as North America and Southeast Asia

Statistic 48

Asia-Pacific’s share of global air cargo growth is expected to reach over 50% by 2025, due to expanding manufacturing hubs

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Key Highlights

The global air cargo market was valued at approximately $116 billion in 2022
Air cargo volume reached around 65 million tons globally in 2022
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 35% of the world's air cargo traffic
The top five air cargo hubs are Hong Kong, Memphis, Shanghai, Incheon, and Dubai
Approximately 12% of global export value is transported via air cargo
The average freight rate per kilogram in air cargo increased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2022
Perishable goods such as pharmaceuticals and fresh produce constitute about 15% of air cargo
The air cargo industry supports over 4.2 million jobs worldwide
The carbon footprint per tonne-km for air cargo is approximately 1.2 kg CO2e
Asia-Pacific dominates global air cargo growth with a 5.2% CAGR from 2018-2023
In 2022, China was the largest exporter by value using air cargo, accounting for over 20% of global air freight exports
The use of e-commerce has increased air cargo demand, contributing to about 50% of all air freight in 2023
The top five air cargo airlines by revenue in 2023 include FedEx, DHL, Emirates SkyCargo, Cargolux, and Qatar Airways Cargo

With the global air cargo industry soaring to a staggering $116 billion in 2022 and dominating over 35% of worldwide trade value, it’s clear that rapid growth, technological innovation, and sustainability are shaping the future of international logistics at unprecedented speeds.

Environmental Sustainability

The carbon footprint per tonne-km for air cargo is approximately 1.2 kg CO2e
The impact of sustainability initiatives has led to a 10% reduction in carbon emissions per tonne-km for some carriers by 2023
The use of biofuels in air cargo aircraft increased by 30% in 2023 as part of sustainability efforts

Environmental Sustainability Interpretation

While air cargo still carries a substantial carbon footprint, recent strides—marking a 10% emissions cut and a 30% surge in biofuel use—highlight that the industry is increasingly jetting toward a greener horizon.

Industry Operations and Efficiency

The average aircraft utilization for freighters has increased to roughly 10 hours/day during peak seasons
The average delivery time for air freight is approximately 3-5 days, significantly faster than sea freight
The implementation of blockchains in air cargo supply chains improved tracking accuracy by 20% in 2023
Automation in warehouses handling air cargo has increased efficiency by 25% in recent years
The average age of cargo aircraft is approximately 9 years, indicating a relatively modern fleet
The use of artificial intelligence in optimizing air cargo routes increased efficiency by 18% in 2023
The average length of haul for international air cargo is approximately 3,500 km, allowing for rapid cross-continental shipments
The average load factor for air cargo aircraft was around 65% in 2023, reflecting utilization levels
The adoption of electronically controlled cargo doors increased safety and reduced delays by 12% in 2023
The average number of flights dedicated to cargo transport per day globally is approximately 6,000, indicating high operational volume
The use of predictive analytics in air cargo management improved on-time deliveries by 15% in 2023
The global air cargo fleet includes nearly 850 dedicated freighter aircraft, with average age under 10 years, indicating a modern fleet

Industry Operations and Efficiency Interpretation

In 2023, the air cargo industry soared with nearly 6,000 daily flights, modern fleet technology, and AI-driven efficiencies, yet its load factor hovers at 65%, reminding us that even in the fastest lane, there’s room for more purpose and less empty space.

Market Size and Growth

The global air cargo market was valued at approximately $116 billion in 2022
Air cargo volume reached around 65 million tons globally in 2022
Approximately 12% of global export value is transported via air cargo
The average freight rate per kilogram in air cargo increased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2022
Perishable goods such as pharmaceuticals and fresh produce constitute about 15% of air cargo
The air cargo industry supports over 4.2 million jobs worldwide
Asia-Pacific dominates global air cargo growth with a 5.2% CAGR from 2018-2023
In 2022, China was the largest exporter by value using air cargo, accounting for over 20% of global air freight exports
The use of e-commerce has increased air cargo demand, contributing to about 50% of all air freight in 2023
The top five air cargo airlines by revenue in 2023 include FedEx, DHL, Emirates SkyCargo, Cargolux, and Qatar Airways Cargo
Investment in new wide-body air freight aircraft is projected to reach $15 billion in 2024
The urban air cargo market is growing rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate of 12% forecast through 2027
The global express cargo segment accounts for approximately 70% of total air cargo revenue
Air cargo accounts for less than 1% of global freight transported but around 35% of global trade value by volume
The air cargo industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $180 billion by 2030
The share of narrow-body aircraft used for cargo has increased by 15% since 2020, mainly for regional routes
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15% drop in air cargo volume in the first half of 2020, but demand recovered quickly afterward
The Middle East region's air cargo traffic increased by 10% in 2023, driven by Dubai and Qatar hubs
The percentage of shipped pharmaceuticals via air cargo has increased by 20% since 2019, reflecting growth in healthcare logistics
The capacity of dedicated cargo aircraft worldwide has grown by over 25% since 2019, reaching approximately 4 million tonnes annually
The total number of registered dedicated cargo aircraft worldwide exceeds 2,300 units, indicating a growing specialized fleet
Air cargo handling capacity at global airports increased by 7% in 2023, reaching over 100 million tonnes annually
The cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport was over 4.8 million tonnes in 2022, remaining the world’s busiest
The global market share of airline alliances in air cargo is about 75%, with alliances such as Star Alliance and Oneworld leading
The growth of e-commerce logistics has increased the demand for small parcel air freight, which now makes up approximately 40% of all air cargo
The total value of goods transported via air cargo globally exceeded $6 trillion in 2022, demonstrating its importance to international trade
The volume of express parcel shipments via air increased by 22% in 2023 compared to 2022, driven by e-commerce
The integration of drone delivery for small cargo items in urban areas is projected to grow by 20% annually until 2027
The most common types of cargo transported by air include electronics (35%), pharmaceuticals (20%), and perishable food (15%)

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

Despite accounting for less than 1% of global freight volume, air cargo's towering contribution of over 35% to international trade value underscores that in the high-stakes world of global commerce, size isn't everything—speed and efficiency are the true cargo kings.

Regional and Hub Dynamics

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 35% of the world's air cargo traffic
The top five air cargo hubs are Hong Kong, Memphis, Shanghai, Incheon, and Dubai
The rapid growth of re-shoring and near-shoring strategies increased demand for air cargo in regions such as North America and Southeast Asia
Asia-Pacific’s share of global air cargo growth is expected to reach over 50% by 2025, due to expanding manufacturing hubs

Regional and Hub Dynamics Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific soaring to over half of global air cargo by 2025 thanks to its manufacturing boom and strategic hubs like Hong Kong and Shanghai, the world’s supply chains are clearly betting on the dragon’s wings to deliver future growth.