Air Freight Market to Hit USD 225.26 Bn by 2031: Freight Forwarding held 44.5% of the 2025 Market Share, Says a 2026 Mordor Intelligence Report

HYDERABAD, India, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Mordor Intelligence, the air freight market was valued at USD 160.17 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 169.53 billion in 2026 to reach USD 225.26 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.85%. Growth is being supported by expanding cross-border e-commerce activity, continued global supply chain realignment, and rising demand for pharmaceutical cold-chain transportation. Airlines are increasingly allocating capacity toward high-yield specialized cargo, while passenger-to-freighter conversions are enhancing available lift. At the same time, sustainability initiatives such as sustainable aviation fuel adoption and the implementation of dynamic pricing models are influencing cost structures. Ongoing consolidation among freight forwarders and integrators further highlights the strategic importance of scale, network depth, and digital capabilities in maintaining long-term competitiveness.

Air Freight Market Share by Region

Asia-Pacific remains the leading region in the air freight market size, driven by its deep manufacturing base, rising consumer demand, and expanding intra-regional express networks. Major logistics hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Incheon act as critical connectors between primary trade lanes and emerging production centers, improving network resilience. At the same time, government-backed airport expansion initiatives across India and Southeast Asia are strengthening the region's strategic importance in global air cargo flows. Increasing cross-border e-commerce penetration and supply chain diversification strategies are also reinforcing the region's dominance in global air cargo movement.

North America continues to play an important role in the air freight landscape, supported by steady domestic parcel volumes and growing near-shoring activity linked to Mexico. Temporary regulatory flexibility in the United States, particularly around slot utilization during staffing constraints, has helped maintain operational stability at key cargo gateways. Strong bilateral trade flows are also contributing to balanced cargo traffic and healthier capacity utilization, reinforcing the region's long-term market stability. Continued investments in digital cargo tracking and infrastructure modernization are further strengthening service reliability and transit efficiency across the region.

Air Freight Market Growth Drivers

Trade Realignment and Near-Shoring Momentum

As production shifts closer to end consumers, North American companies are increasingly depending on U.S.–Mexico air corridors to move intermediate components swiftly and reliably. Two-way cargo movement is helping airlines optimize aircraft utilization and lower repositioning inefficiencies. Policy support and investment incentives in Mexico are strengthening airport hubs such as Querétaro and Monterrey, improving regional connectivity. Shorter transit times compared to Asian routes are reinforcing supply chain responsiveness and gradually influencing overall air freight market share across the region. This shift is also encouraging logistics providers to expand warehousing and value-added services near border regions. Over time, integrated regional supply chains are expected to deepen trade flows and strengthen the competitive positioning of North American air cargo networks.

Cross-Border E-Commerce Acceleration

The rapid expansion of international online retail is driving a surge in smaller, time-sensitive shipments that favor air cargo solutions. Carriers are adjusting belly capacity and adding freighter services to meet tighter delivery expectations from global marketplaces. Strengthened trans-Pacific connections between Asian manufacturing centers and North American fulfillment hubs are improving route density and operational efficiency. Faster customs processing and digital documentation are further supporting reliability, reflecting broader air freight market trends shaped by evolving consumer buying patterns. Frequent promotional cycles and seasonal sales events are also increasing shipment volatility, requiring agile capacity planning. As digital commerce ecosystems mature, air freight is becoming an essential enabler of fast, cross-border fulfillment strategies.

Major Segments Highlighted in the Air Freight Market Research Report

By Service

• Freight Transport (Cargo/CEP)
• Freight Forwarding
• Other Value-Added Services (Customs Brokerage, Insurance.

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 Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Rest of Middle East and Africa

Overview – Air Freight Market Industry 

Air Freight Companies - Covers a comprehensive global and market-level analysis, detailed coverage of key segments, available financial insights, strategic positioning information, competitive ranking and market share assessment, overview of products and service portfolios, along with recent developments shaping the industry landscape.

• FedEx Corporation
• Emirates SkyCargo
• Qatar Airways Cargo
• Delta Cargo
• Cathay Pacific Cargo
• DHL Supply Chain & Global Forwarding
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions
• Etihad Cargo
• All Nippon Airways Cargo
• Lufthansa Cargo
• Korean Air Cargo
• United Cargo
• American Airlines Cargo
• Kuehne + Nagel
• CEVA Logistics
• DSV
• Expeditors
• Sinotrans
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
• Kintetsu World Express
• AirBridgeCargo Airlines

Get in-depth industry insights on the air freight market report: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-air-freight-market?utm_source=prnewswire

Explore related reports from Mordor Intelligence

Freight And Logistics Market Share: The freight and logistics market report offers comprehensive segmentation by service, destination, carrier type, cargo category, end-user industry, and geography. By service, it includes Freight Transport (Cargo/CEP), Freight Forwarding, and other value-added services such as customs brokerage and insurance. Based on destination, the market is divided into domestic and international shipments, while by carrier type it covers belly cargo and freighters. Cargo classification consists of general cargo and special cargo, and end-user industries span e-commerce and retail, manufacturing and automotive, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, perishables and fresh produce, high-tech and electronics, and other sectors. Geographically, the analysis focuses on the major regions of North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Freight Forwarding Market Size: The freight forwarding market is estimated to reach USD 602.58 billion in 2026 and is projected to grow to USD 776.04 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.19% during 2026–2031. Growth is being fueled by the surge in cross-border e-commerce parcels, which is fragmenting traditional shipment volumes, along with accelerating near-shoring strategies that require shorter lead times. Additionally, the expansion of cold-chain logistics for biologic pharmaceuticals and fresh food products is further strengthening market demand.

Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Share: Pharmaceutical logistics market is witnessing accelerated consolidation as the high capital requirements associated with temperature-controlled infrastructure continue to raise entry barriers. Leading players are strengthening their global healthcare networks through expanded GDP-compliant hubs across key international locations, enhancing cold-chain reliability and capacity. Strategic acquisitions are further extending cryogenic and specialty distribution capabilities, particularly in North America. At the same time, major integrators are investing in facility upgrades with redundant power systems and automation designed to support sensitive shipments, including clinical-trial returns and high-value biologics.

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