Factors driving growth in global air freight industry

Speed, reliability, and supply chain precision have become cornerstones of global commerce. As businesses operate across borders and customers expect shorter delivery times, the need to move products efficiently across continents has become essential. Air freight isn't just connecting time zones-it's enabling fast, predictable service that modern logistics depend on.

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Driven by the need for speed and reliability, the global air freight market is on an upward trajectory, estimated at USD 319.4 Billion in 2024. With a steady compound growth of 4.9% expected through 2025 to 2033, the sector is forecast to reach USD 492.7 Billion by 2033. As disruptions challenge global supply chains, air freight emerges as a critical enabler of continuity and efficiency.

This article outlines six major forces behind the expansion of international air freight, each contributing to its rising demand and shaping the future of global logistics.

1. E-commerce Expansion Is Boosting Air Freight Demand

Online shopping continues to grow at double-digit rates worldwide, changing how consumers order and how businesses deliver. With mobile commerce rising and platforms becoming more global, buyers now expect orders within days-even when shipped internationally. This shift has pushed businesses to make air freight central to their fulfillment approach.

For instance, Amazon Air has reshaped India's e-commerce delivery by operating the only dedicated air cargo fleet in the country, currently using two aircraft to transport tens of thousands of packages daily. Since its 2023 launch connecting four major cities, it has expanded to serve 12 cities via air and multimodal air-rail networks, covering over 100 origin-destination pairs. Amazon Air significantly boosts next-day delivery with over 99% on-time performance, overcoming India's logistical challenges through precise overnight operations, enhancing delivery speed, reliability, and scale ahead of events like Prime Day.