Freight Chartered Air Transport Market Report 2026

The freight chartered air transport market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $31.76 billion in 2025 to $35.58 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing globalization of supply chains, rising demand for urgent cargo movement, expansion of international trade lanes, growth in industrial project cargo transport, increasing use of air freight for high-value goods.

The freight chartered air transport market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $57.02 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for rapid-response logistics solutions, rising investments in cargo aircraft fleets, expansion of pharmaceutical and medical cargo transport, growing reliance on charter services for supply chain resilience, increasing use of digital booking platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for time-critical cargo charters, rising use of dedicated cargo aircraft, growing transport of oversized and specialized goods, expansion of emergency and humanitarian airlift services, enhanced focus on flexible routing capabilities.

The increasing demand for urgent transportation of dangerous goods and hazardous materials is anticipated to boost the freight chartered air transport market. Dangerous goods are substances or materials that present risks to health, safety, property, or the environment during transit due to their hazardous characteristics, such as flammability, toxicity, corrosiveness, or radioactivity. Sensitive cargo containing dangerous goods includes explosives, highly flammable gases, radioactive materials, and military equipment. Toxic and infectious substances require specialized skills and expert knowledge for safe transportation. These goods are shipped via chartered cargo to prevent explosions and contamination. For example, in July 2025, the Department for Transport, a UK government transport authority, reported that UK-registered vehicles transported approximately 0.47 million tonnes of dangerous goods internationally in 2024, including around 0.23 million tonnes of imports and 0.24 million tonnes of exports, marking a 66% increase compared with 2023. Consequently, the rising need for urgent shipment of dangerous goods and hazardous materials is driving the growth of the freight chartered air transport market.

Major companies in the freight chartered air transport market are emphasizing digital charter booking platforms, such as air cargo charter management systems, to secure a competitive edge. These digital solutions consolidate booking, quoting, and operational data to optimize freight charter services while enhancing aircraft capacity utilization and responsiveness. For example, in March 2025, Cargojet, a Canada-based air cargo airline, implemented integration with Aerios’ Carrier App charter software, offering a centralized digital workflow for charter quotations, improved CRM and reporting functionalities, and faster response times for charter requests, resulting in greater operational efficiency and visibility. While the adoption of digital platforms boosts booking efficiency and access to data, the sector still faces challenges in standardizing systems across carriers and incorporating advanced AI matching tools for intricate charter needs.

In June 2023, DHL, a global company providing courier, package delivery, and express mail services, acquired MNG Kargo for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition by DHL aims to strengthen its European e-commerce business. MNG Kargo, headquartered in Turkey, specializes in land and air freight services.

Major companies operating in the freight chartered air transport market are Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Air Transport Services Group Inc., Air Charter Service, ACC Aviation Ltd., Jet Edge International, Air Partner, Cargo Air Chartering, C R V Air Services, AFM Logistics Pvt Ltd., Kerryindev Logistics Pvt Ltd., Schenker International (H.K.) Limited, Japan Airlines Co. Ltd., Nippon Express, JHJ International Transportation Co. Ltd., PDS International Pvt Ltd., Air China Cargo Co. Ltd., Air France-KLM Group, CEVA Logistics, Geodis Freight & Logistics Services, Haulystic Ltd., Expeditors, Alinnza Trading London Ltd., Barrington Freight Ltd., Kite Freight Services, RWorld Express, Cool Cargo UK, FedEx Corporation, United Parcel Service, A.P. Moller - Mærsk A/S, Stratos Jet Charters Inc., Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited, Air Cargo Charter Company, Bu Shames FZE, Iraq Gate Company, MATEEN Express, Fridenson Logistic Services Ltd., Challenge Airlines (IL) Ltd., South African Airways Cargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo.

North America was the largest region in the freight-chartered air transport market in 2025. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the global freight-chartered air transport services market. The regions covered in the freight chartered air transport market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the freight chartered air transport market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The freight chartered air transport market includes revenues earned by entities by ensuring that their cargo has exclusive use of the entire sailing or flight, with guaranteed security and departure/arrival times. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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