Global Air Freight Market Size Analysis Report - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

Air Freight Market Regional Insights

North America Air Freight Market Dynamics

With a strong cargo network and a rapidly expanding e-commerce industry, the air freight industry in North America leads the global market. About 40% of the world's air freight is handled by the United States, with significant hubs like Louisville (UPS), Memphis (FedEx), and Los Angeles generating significant cargo volumes. The fact that the United States and foreign airlines carried 11.9 million freight tons in the year ending in March 2024, of which it owned 47%, highlights the importance of the American cargo network in the global air freight market.

Rapid shipping is becoming more and more necessary due to the growth of e-commerce, which saw a 14% increase in global online sales in 2023. In order for things to arrive on schedule, air freight is required. For the year ending in March 2024, American airlines handled 11.9 million freight tons, or 47% of the total amount handled by domestic and international flying. In the second quarter of 2024, $291.6 billion in sales from online retailers drove demand for air freight. Infrastructure and market trends are in sync, which reinforces North America's leadership position.

Asia Pacific Air Freight Market Trends

The air freight market share in Asia Pacific has a substantial importance in the global market, due to its solid manufacturing base, particularly in China, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The main hubs in the region include Hong Kong International Airport, Incheon International Airport, and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. E-commerce is also developing at a very rapid rate in the Asia Pacific-the online sales are projected to grow 15% by 2023. This need for rapid delivery options in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea has so far mainly been driven by the large e-commerce giants such as Alibaba and Rakuten, which rely mostly on air freight.

The other factor contributing to air freight market revenue in China is e-commerce through live broadcasting. It is a very popular form of e-commerce in the People's Republic of China whereby KOLs conduct a live video broadcast to promote various commodities to their followers. It has surged into popularity ever since the pandemic. In fact, according to a poll conducted by the Ali Research Institute, there are 388 million Chinese internet users, 39.2% of the whole population, using online live broadcasting for e-commerce.

Since the start of the year, the air freight sector from India to Europe has seen a significant increase in volume. The dynamic load factor from India to Europe increased to 87% in the week ending March 24, the highest since April 2022, while cargo capacity remained comparatively unchanged.

Europe Air Freight Market Analysis

The need for air freight is mostly driven by Europe's industrial backbone, especially in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. These nations are major exporters of high-value products, including luxury items, machinery, car parts, and pharmaceuticals. Over the course of the forecast period, increased investment in the construction of contemporary airports with increased capacity for freight accommodations, such as automated airports, is anticipated to propel market expansion. Due to the increased demand for quick deliveries brought about by the rise in online shopping, air freight is now the most popular method of shipping goods across European borders. Large online retailers like Amazon mostly depend on air freight to fulfil customer demands for prompt delivery, especially for items that must be delivered quickly.

European carriers saw 16.1% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June. Intra-European air cargo rose by 16.7% compared to June 2023, the sixth month in a row of double-digit annual growth. Europe–Middle East and Europe–Asia routes saw demand increase by 30.2% and 20.3% respectively. June capacity increased 9.1% year-on-year.

Latin America Air Freight Market Trends

One distinct element influencing the air freight demand in Latin America is regional trade agreements. Trade agreements such as the USMCA facilitate trade and demand speedier logistics to satisfy import and export demands. High-Value Exports are also very important. Important goods from Latin America are exported, including electronics and perishables, which need to be transported quickly to retain their quality and competitiveness in the market. For example, exports of fresh produce require rapid air transportation to international markets, which increases the need for effective air freight solutions.

Middle East and Africa Air Freight Industry Trends

The main driver of demand for air freight from the MEA is the oil and gas industry. Indeed, the region has a very large oil and gas industry with a vital dependence on the timely supply of parts and equipment, mainly through air freight, to reduce losses due to productive time. The requirement for aviation freight is also impacted by humanitarian aid and relief operations. Delivering humanitarian aid to areas affected by disasters and conflict zones quickly is often necessary for MEA. For instance, the UN and other organisations frequently utilise air cargo to provide disaster help, highlighting its vital role in the area. In the Middle East and Africa, there is consequently a larger need for reliable and timely flights.

The current trend in the Middle East and Africa has become the emergence of Dubai's World Central Airport as one of the major air freight hubs, boosting the air freight market statistics in the MEA. The Emirate of Dubai hopes to capture the region's growing appetite for aviation cargo in 2023 when it expands DWC's cargo handling capacity. This expansion now really seals Dubai's position as a major logistics center, connecting the Middle East and North Africa to global markets with just-in-time state-of-the-art infrastructure and services designed to handle both general and specialized cargo.

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