Market overview
The global air freight market is worth USD 166 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 242 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Dedicated freighters is the largest by aircraft segment.
| Scope | Revenue earned by airlines and cargo carriers for transporting freight and mail by air on freighter aircraft and in the holds of passenger aircraft. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 160 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 166 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 242 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 68.3 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 94.3 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 2,436 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Air Freight market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 166 bn |
| 2027 | USD 173 bn |
| 2028 | USD 179 bn |
| 2029 | USD 186 bn |
| 2030 | USD 193 bn |
| 2031 | USD 201 bn |
| 2032 | USD 208 bn |
| 2033 | USD 216 bn |
| 2034 | USD 224 bn |
| 2035 | USD 233 bn |
| 2036 | USD 242 bn |
Air Freight market segmentation
By aircraft
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated freighters | 55.0% | 56.3% | USD 91.5 bn | 4.0% |
| Passenger belly cargo | 40.0% | 39.0% | USD 66.6 bn | 3.5% |
| Combi and charter | 5.0% | 4.6% | USD 8.3 bn | 3.0% |
By cargo
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General cargo | 44.0% | 37.0% | USD 73.2 bn | 2.0% |
| E-commerce shipments | 18.0% | 25.0% | USD 30.0 bn | 7.2% |
| Express and mail | 13.0% | 12.4% | USD 21.6 bn | 3.3% |
| Perishables and pharma | 13.0% | 14.3% | USD 21.6 bn | 4.8% |
| Dangerous goods and other special cargo | 12.0% | 11.4% | USD 20.0 bn | 3.3% |
By service speed
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 55.0% | 53.5% | USD 91.5 bn | 3.5% |
| Express | 30.0% | 31.5% | USD 49.9 bn | 4.3% |
| Deferred economy | 15.0% | 15.0% | USD 25.0 bn | 3.8% |
By route
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 21.0% | 21.0% | USD 34.9 bn | 3.8% |
| Intra-regional | 28.0% | 28.0% | USD 46.6 bn | 3.8% |
| Long-haul international | 51.0% | 51.0% | USD 84.9 bn | 3.8% |
By shipper type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freight forwarders | 52.0% | 50.5% | USD 86.5 bn | 3.5% |
| Integrators and express operators | 23.0% | 24.5% | USD 38.3 bn | 4.5% |
| Direct shippers | 25.0% | 25.0% | USD 41.6 bn | 3.8% |
Top 25 countries for air freight by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 68.8% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 31.6 bn | 19.0% | USD 51.0 bn | 4.9% |
| 2 | United States | USD 30.0 bn | 18.0% | USD 41.8 bn | 3.4% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 10.0 bn | 6.0% | USD 13.3 bn | 2.9% |
| 4 | Hong Kong | USD 8.3 bn | 5.0% | USD 12.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 7.0 bn | 4.2% | USD 8.9 bn | 2.5% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | USD 6.7 bn | 4.0% | USD 8.9 bn | 3.0% |
| 7 | South Korea | USD 6.3 bn | 3.8% | USD 9.2 bn | 3.8% |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | USD 5.3 bn | 3.2% | USD 8.7 bn | 5.0% |
| 9 | France | USD 5.0 bn | 3.0% | USD 6.8 bn | 3.1% |
| 10 | Singapore | USD 4.3 bn | 2.6% | USD 6.3 bn | 3.8% |
| 11 | Netherlands | USD 4.2 bn | 2.5% | USD 5.6 bn | 3.0% |
| 12 | Thailand | USD 4.2 bn | 2.5% | USD 6.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 13 | Turkey | USD 4.2 bn | 2.5% | USD 6.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 14 | Mexico | USD 4.2 bn | 2.5% | USD 6.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 15 | Qatar | USD 4.0 bn | 2.4% | USD 6.1 bn | 4.2% |
| 16 | Vietnam | USD 3.6 bn | 2.1% | USD 5.6 bn | 4.5% |
| 17 | Spain | USD 3.0 bn | 1.8% | USD 4.0 bn | 3.0% |
| 18 | Taiwan | USD 2.6 bn | 1.5% | USD 3.6 bn | 3.5% |
| 19 | Switzerland | USD 2.2 bn | 1.3% | USD 2.9 bn | 3.0% |
| 20 | Ireland | USD 1.8 bn | 1.1% | USD 2.6 bn | 3.5% |
| 21 | Sweden | USD 1.6 bn | 0.9% | USD 2.1 bn | 2.9% |
| 22 | Belgium | USD 1.3 bn | 0.8% | USD 1.8 bn | 2.9% |
| 23 | Australia | USD 948 mn | 0.6% | USD 1.4 bn | 3.6% |
| 24 | Poland | USD 799 mn | 0.5% | USD 1.3 bn | 4.6% |
| 25 | Austria | USD 719 mn | 0.4% | USD 1.1 bn | 4.6% |
| Rest of world | USD 12.6 bn | 7.6% | USD 18.4 bn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- FedEx
- UPS
- Cathay Cargo
- Emirates SkyCargo
- Qatar Airways Cargo
- Lufthansa Cargo
- DHL Aviation
- Singapore Airlines Cargo
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Korean Air Cargo
- China Airlines Cargo
- Atlas Air
- Air China Cargo
- Turkish Cargo
- Cargolux
- Air France KLM Martinair Cargo
- Etihad Cargo
- China Southern Airlines
- Ethiopian Cargo
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Cargojet
- Silk Way West Airlines
- Kalitta Air
- Challenge Airlines
- AeroLogic
- Astral Aviation
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the air freight market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 3.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by aircraft, by cargo, by service speed, by route, by shipper type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the air freight market?
The global air freight market is estimated at USD 160 bn in 2025 and USD 166 bn in 2026.
How fast will the air freight market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 242 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 75.2 bn.
Which country is the largest market for air freight?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 31.6 bn in 2026, 19.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 43.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, United Arab Emirates is growing fastest at 5.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which air freight segment is largest?
In the by aircraft split, Dedicated freighters is the largest segment with 55.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading air freight companies?
Global leaders include FedEx, UPS, Cathay Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Services and Utilities
- Utility Scale SolarUSD 166 bn · 5.0% CAGR
- Repair and OverhaulUSD 168 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Wind PowerUSD 163 bn · 8.0% CAGR
- Solar PowerUSD 171 bn · 12.5% CAGR
- Tax AdvisoryUSD 159 bn · 6.2% CAGR
- Interior DesignUSD 158 bn · 5.8% CAGR
- Carbon CreditUSD 178 bn · 9.0% CAGR
- Nuclear PowerUSD 180 bn · 3.5% CAGR