The air cargo sector continues on a path of solid growth in 2025, consolidating its role as a fundamental pillar of global trade. According to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air cargo demand has maintained double-digit growth for several consecutive months, reaching record levels similar to those of 2021.
This increase has been driven by the boom in cross-border e-commerce, the optimization of international routes, and limitations in maritime transport, which have led many companies to choose the speed and efficiency of air freight. However, despite these advances, the sector faces key challenges, such as pressure on cargo capacity and the need to make market growth more sustainable.
Next, we analyze the reasons behind the growth of air cargo in 2025, the markets leading the expansion, and the challenges the industry faces in the near future.
Air Cargo Growth in 2025: Why Does It Keep Rising?
The air cargo market has shown an impressive recovery in recent years, and 2025 is no exception. Several factors have contributed to this growth:
📦 1. Increase in demand for fast and efficient transport
In an increasingly digital world, companies require logistics solutions that allow them to deliver products quickly. Global trade depends more than ever on the responsiveness of the air cargo sector, which has driven higher demand across multiple routes.
🛒 2. Boom in cross-border e-commerce
E-commerce platforms have been major drivers of this growth. Companies like Amazon, Alibaba, and Mercado Libre have significantly increased the volume of international shipments, leading to greater use of cargo airlines.
🚢 3. Limitations in maritime transport and modal shift
Port congestion and container shortages have forced many companies to shift part of their operations from maritime transport to air freight, especially in sectors where speed is a critical factor, such as technology and perishable goods.
Key Data from the Global Air Cargo Market in 2025
IATA data shows a positive outlook for the industry in 2025:
📈 Cargo traffic growth: Increase of 14.3% in CTK (Cargo Tonne-Kilometers) compared to 2024.
📊 Air cargo capacity: Expansion of 8.3% in ACTK (Available Cargo Tonne-Kilometers), reaching record levels.
📌 Greater use of belly cargo in passenger aircraft: A 12.8% increase in cargo capacity on commercial flights.
💰 Prices and yields: Despite increased capacity, yields have remained strong due to high demand.
These figures reflect a growing market, driven by globalization, digital transformation, and the reconfiguration of supply chains.
Performance by Region: Who Is Leading the Growth?
Air cargo growth in 2025 has not been uniform across all regions. While some markets have shown aggressive expansions, others have experienced more moderate growth.
🌏 Asia-Pacific: The Engine of the Global Market
- Growth of 17.7% in CTK, consolidating its position as the region with the highest volume of transported cargo.
- It accounts for more than 33% of the global market thanks to its strong trade with the U.S. and Europe.
✈ Middle East – Europe: Historic Expansion
- An increase of 32.2% on key routes, making it one of the fastest-growing areas.
- The Middle East continues to stand out as an international connectivity hub.
🇺🇸 North America: Stable and Sustained Growth
- 9.5% increase in CTK, with strong participation in trade with Asia and Europe.
- It represents 26.9% of the global air cargo market.
🌎 Latin America: Growth with Low Global Share
- An increase of 13.1% in CTK, although with only 2.8% of the global market.
- Its low load factor (CLF) of 33.6% indicates opportunities for improvement in operational efficiency.
🌍 Africa: Capacity Expansion, but with Challenges
- Growth of 11.8% in CTK and a 23.8% expansion in cargo capacity.
- However, it faces a decrease of 4.1% in its CLF, which could impact the sector's profitability.
Key Factors Driving the Sector's Expansion
✅ Greater use of belly cargo in passenger planes: Many airlines are optimizing cargo on commercial flights to take advantage of high demand.
✅ Competition among e-commerce giants: Logistics companies and sales platforms are investing in air infrastructure.
✅ Technological innovations: Artificial intelligence and route optimization are improving the efficiency of cargo transport.
Challenges and Issues for the Future of Air Cargo Transport
🚨 Capacity vs. Demand: Although cargo capacity has grown, the challenge is to balance this expansion with real demand to avoid oversupply.
🌍 Economic and geopolitical factors: Inflation, trade tensions, and international conflicts could affect rates and market stability.
♻ Sustainability and emissions reduction: With global pressure to reduce the carbon footprint, airlines must adopt cleaner and more efficient technologies.
Conclusion
The growth of air cargo in 2025 reflects the evolution of global trade and the need for fast and efficient transportation. While regions like Asia-Pacific and the Middle East lead the expansion, Latin America and Africa present growth opportunities with challenges to overcome.
The sector will need to balance the expansion of capacity with sustainability and profitability, ensuring that airlines, logistics companies, and end customers benefit from this boom in air transportation.
📌 With an industry in constant transformation, the future of air cargo transportation will depend on the sector's ability to innovate, adapt, and operate more efficiently in an interconnected world.
