Freight Chartered Air Transport Market Report 2025

The freight chartered air transport market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $28.32 billion in 2024 to $31.85 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to strong economic growth in emerging markets, growth of air cargo transportation and ocean shipping delays.

The freight chartered air transport market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $50.79 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to government support, rising urbanization and benefits of freight-chartered air transport over other modes of freight transportation. Major trends in the forecast period include focus on business expansion, partnerships and collaborations, mergers and acquisitions and launch of new cargo centers.

The forecast of 12.4% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projection. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs on aircraft maintenance kits and avionics could reduce cost-efficiency in chartered air cargo operations. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The increasing demand for the urgent shipment of dangerous goods and hazardous materials is expected to be a driving force in the freight chartered air transport market. Sensitive freight containing dangerous goods encompasses explosives, highly flammable gases, radioactive materials, and military items. Shipping these toxic and infectious substances requires specialized skills and expert knowledge to ensure safe transport, and chartered cargo services are employed to mitigate the risks of explosions and contamination. For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA has granted authority for chartered cargo services, including training for all employees through a part-135 certificate, enabling them to operate on demand under an FAA-approved hazardous materials program. The growth of the freight chartered air transport market is therefore anticipated to be fueled by the increasing need for the urgent shipment of dangerous goods and hazardous materials.

Companies in the freight chartered air transport market are increasingly adopting blockchain technology to enhance logistics across various sectors. Blockchain, being a shared and immutable ledger, facilitates the recording of transactions and tracking of assets in a secure and transparent manner within a business network. As an example, in September 2022, Air Charter Service, a UK-based aircraft charter company, introduced ACS Time Critical, a sub-brand consolidating its specialized urgent cargo products. This 24-hour service is strategically designed to offer a comprehensive door-to-door solution for the most time-sensitive freight. The establishment of ACS Time Critical aims to streamline and specialize urgent cargo solutions, addressing the specific needs of forwarders and manufacturers. This initiative underscores Air Charter Service's dedication to delivering comprehensive and specialized services to effectively address the demands of urgent cargo transportation.

Addressing humanitarian needs in disaster-stricken countries worldwide is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the freight chartered air transport market in the future. Numerous minor-scale disasters occur annually, involving events such as flooding, landslides, fires, and storms, which often go unreported in global databases. Despite their scale, these events can have devastating consequences, causing fatalities, injuries, and the destruction of livelihoods. Air freight offers crucial benefits for transporting goods to disaster-stricken countries, including timely delivery, overcoming infrastructure challenges, and minimizing loss and damage, particularly for medical supplies. In July 2023, Airlink, a nonprofit organization collaborating with aviation and logistics partners for relief efforts, partnered with Qatar Airways Cargo to transport 58 shipments on behalf of 22 organizations. This collaboration facilitated the transportation of humanitarian supplies valued at $2.1 million, reaching 351 metric tons and aiding 5.8 million people in seventeen countries. Consequently, the ongoing response to humanitarian needs in disaster-stricken regions is expected to drive the growth of the freight chartered air transport market in the forecast period.

Companies in the freight chartered air transport market are placing a strong emphasis on leveraging blockchain technology to enhance logistics across various sectors. Blockchain serves as a shared and immutable ledger that streamlines the recording of transactions and tracking of assets within a business network. For instance, in September 2020, AirAsia, a multinational airline based in Malaysia, introduced Freightchain, its blockchain-based air cargo network. This platform is designed to reveal all available cargo network connections operated by airlines, facilitating real-time bookings through instantly verified bids on the blockchain.

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 include Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, Air Transport Services Group Inc., Air Charter Service, Garuda Indonesia, ACC Aviation Ltd, Jet edge International, Air Partner, Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd., Cargo Air Chartering, C R V Air Services, AFM Logistics Pvt Ltd, Shiprocket, Kerryindev Logistics Pvt Ltd, Schenker International (H.K) Limited, Japan Airlines Co Ltd, Nippon Express, JHJ International Transportation Co Ltd, SINO Shipping, PDS International Pvt Ltd, Air China Cargo Co Ltd, SNCF Voyageurs, Air France-KLM Group, DPDgroup, Air France, CEVA Logistics, Geodis Freight & Logistics Services, RATP Dev, Transdev Group, Haulystic Ltd, Expeditors, Alinnza Trading London Ltd, Barrington Freight Ltd, Kite Freight Services, RWorld Express, Cool Cargo UK, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), 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 2024. 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, 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, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a considerable impact on the transport services sector by increasing the costs of vehicles, spare parts, and fuel - critical inputs frequently imported from tariff-affected regions. Freight operators, logistics companies, and public transportation providers are experiencing margin pressures as elevated equipment and maintenance expenses coincide with limited flexibility to pass these costs on to customers due to intense market competition. This climate of uncertainty has also led to delays in fleet upgrades and the adoption of greener, more energy-efficient vehicles, hindering progress toward sustainability objectives. In response, transport firms are enhancing route optimization, investing in fuel-efficient technologies, renegotiating supplier agreements, and adopting collaborative logistics strategies to share resources and cushion the financial impact of rising tariffs.

The freight chartered air transport services market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides freight chartered air transport services market statistics, including freight chartered air transport services industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a freight chartered air transport services market share, detailed freight chartered air transport services market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the freight chartered air transport services industry. This freight chartered air transport services market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Freight chartered air transport refers to a transportation method that employs aircraft - such as planes and helicopters - to offer non-scheduled air services exclusively for cargo. This option enables businesses and individuals to lease an entire aircraft specifically for transporting goods, which may include time-sensitive, heavy, hazardous, or specialized types of cargo.

The primary cargo types in the freight chartered air transport services market include time-critical cargo, heavy and oversized cargo, dangerous cargo, animal transportation, and other miscellaneous cargo. Dangerous cargo entails the shipment of substances posing risks to health, property, safety, or the environment. The market is categorized by application into private use and commercial use, and by end-use into wealthy individuals, sports teams, and large corporations.

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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