Freighter Aircraft Market Report 2025

The freighter aircraft market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $7.23 billion in 2024 to $7.85 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased global trade volumes, rise in need for rapid delivery, increased conversions of passenger aircraft to freighters, rise in fleet modernization efforts, and increased demand from express logistics companies.

The freighter aircraft market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.77 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. This anticipated growth will be fueled by increasing demand for express and same-day delivery, rising investment in cargo-handling infrastructure, greater adoption of converted freighters, expanding demand from emerging economies, and heightened emphasis on resilient supply chains. Prominent trends expected during this period include the use of lightweight cargo materials, adoption of advanced cargo tracking technology, innovations in aircraft conversion processes, integration of AI in freight operations, and the development of fuel-efficient freighter models.

The increasing demand for air cargo services is expected to propel the growth of the freighter aircraft market going forward. Air cargo services refer to the fast and efficient transportation of goods by aircraft, typically used for time-sensitive, high-value, or long-distance shipments. The demand for air cargo services is increasing due to the rapid growth of e-commerce, which requires fast and reliable transportation to meet consumer expectations for quick delivery, especially in cross-border and time-sensitive shipments. Freighter aircraft are useful for air cargo services as they provide large, dedicated space for transporting goods quickly and efficiently, ensuring timely delivery of various cargo types across long distances. For instance, in April 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association, a Canada-based trade association, in March, total demand for air cargo, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 4.4% year-over-year, reaching a historic high for the month, while capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), grew by 4.3% over March 2024 levels, with international operations seeing increases of 5.5% and 6.1%, respectively. Therefore, increasing demand for air cargo services is driving the growth of the freighter aircraft market.

Leading players in the freighter aircraft market are actively pursuing the development of innovative products like dedicated cargo aircraft to enhance operational efficiency, increase cargo space, and better respond to the growing global air freight needs. Dedicated freighter aircraft are specifically built for cargo transportation and incorporate design features such as durable floors and oversized cargo doors to optimize freight handling. For example, in March 2022, Brazil-based aerospace company Embraer S.A. introduced the E190F and E195F - cargo aircraft converted from existing E190 and E195 passenger jets via its passenger-to-freighter (P2F) program. These E-Jet freighters aim to meet the rising air cargo demand fueled by e-commerce and the need for faster, decentralized delivery networks. They offer over 50% more cargo space than large turboprops, triple the range, and as much as 30% lower operating costs compared to narrow-body freighters. The E190F supports up to 13,500 kg of cargo, while the E195F can carry up to 14,300 kg, delivering efficient logistics performance and extended lifecycle for the E-Jet fleet.

In June 2025, Regional One, a U.S.-based provider of aircraft redelivery services, partnered with Embraer to expand the E-Freighter conversion initiative targeting regional cargo markets. The collaboration is designed to boost adoption of Embraer’s E-Jet freighters by utilizing Regional One’s capabilities in leasing, asset management, and aircraft redelivery to offer tailored conversion solutions. Embraer, headquartered in Brazil, is a manufacturer of freighter aircraft.

Major players in the freighter aircraft market are The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Leonardo S.p.A., Textron Aviation Inc., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Dassault Aviation, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Gulfstream Aerospace, Embraer S.A., Saab AB, Piaggio Aerospace, Kalitta Air LLC, KF Aerospace, PEMCO Conversions, Antonov, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Precision Aircraft Solutions.

North America was the largest region in the Freighter Aircraft market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in freighter aircraft report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the freighter aircraft market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, 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 rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the oil and gas sector, particularly in exploration equipment, pipeline infrastructure, and refinery operations. Elevated duties on imported drilling rigs, steel pipes, and specialized machinery have driven up capital costs for both upstream and downstream activities. Midstream operators are burdened by price hikes on valves, compressors, and storage tanks, disrupting ongoing expansion projects. Meanwhile, refiners face rising costs for imported catalysts and control systems essential for processing efficiency. Retaliatory tariffs from key trade partners have also dampened U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil, weakening market competitiveness. To mitigate these challenges, companies are increasingly investing in domestic manufacturing partnerships, digital asset management, and energy diversification strategies to sustain operations and protect profit margins.

A freighter aircraft refers to airplanes that are either purpose-built or modified for the transportation of goods and cargo rather than passengers. These aircraft are commonly equipped with features like reinforced flooring, large cargo doors, and specialized loading systems. They play an essential role in global logistics by facilitating the swift and effective movement of freight over long distances.

The primary categories of freighter aircraft include dedicated cargo aircraft and modified versions of non-cargo aircraft. Dedicated cargo aircraft are specifically designed and manufactured for transporting freight rather than passengers. These planes cater to various flight ranges - short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul - and are utilized in both commercial and military settings.

The freighter aircraft market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides freighter aircraft market statistics, including freighter aircraft industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a freighter aircraft market share, detailed freighter aircraft market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the freighter aircraft industry. This freighter aircraft 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.

The freighter aircraft market consists of sales of combi aircraft, palletized freighters, military cargo aircraft, express freighters, feeder freighters, and unmanned cargo aircraft. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

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 and 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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