The global air freight market is set for significant growth. Projections indicate it will reach a value of approximately $300 billion by 2030. Growth is being fuelled by the continued expansion of e-commerce, evolving supply chains, and advancements in technology that are making air cargo operations more efficient and reliable.
Air Cargo And Freight Logistics market worth $240.65 billion in 2025
According to the report ‘Air Cargo And Freight Logistics Market Report 2026‘, published in February 2026 by The Business Research Company, the air cargo and freight logistics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%, propelling the market to $321.14 billion by 2030.
Steady growth is being driven by increasing global trade, demand for faster delivery times, and the broader shift towards digitized logistics and cargo services. As e-commerce giants like Amazon and Alibaba continue to expand, the demand for quick, reliable air freight services grows correspondingly. These trends are especially evident in the Asia-Pacific region, where demand for air freight services has soared over the past few years, and companies are increasingly prioritizing air cargo as a core part of their supply chain strategy.
“In times of uncertainty, when speed matters most, air freight remains the preferred option.”
This was the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s view in their report ‘Global Outlook for Air Transport‘, published in December 2025.
The market’s expansion is also supported by innovations in cargo technology, such as predictive analytics for route optimization, freight capacity management, and blockchain-enabled supply chains. These technologies help air freight carriers streamline operations, reduce costs, and meet the growing demands of global businesses. Advances in air freight forwarding systems are also helping to create more efficient supply chains, with some reports predicting niche segments like these will achieve notable growth by 2030 (ResearchAndMarkets).
Contributing factors
Another contributing factor is the growing importance of air cargo for industries that require high-value, time-sensitive goods, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishable goods. Air freight’s ability to provide faster, more secure delivery makes it an attractive choice for companies in these sectors. Furthermore, the increasing trend towards same-day and next-day deliveries in global e-commerce has made air freight an indispensable component of the supply chain, with logistics providers investing heavily in expanded fleets and technology to meet this demand.
Overall, the air freight industry is on track to see substantial expansion over the next decade. With continued technological innovations, expanding global trade, and the growing push for faster, more efficient logistics, the air freight market is poised to become an even more integral part of the global economy by 2030.
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