North America Air Cargo Market Analysis and Forecast by Size, Share, Growth, Trends 2031

The North America Air Cargo Market size is expected to reach US$ 51,508.6 Million by 2031 from US$ 36,480.2 Million in 2024. The market is estimated to record a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2031.

Executive Summary and North America Air Cargo Market Analysis:

The North America air cargo market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. According to the data presented by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in March 2025, cargo airlines operating in the region witnessed a 9.5% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo. On the other hand, the region acts as a major hub for freighter airlines such as FedEx and UPS. Despite strong global air cargo growth, North America showed a 5.8% year-on-year decline in cargo demand in May 2025, influenced primarily by sweeping tariff changes and the removal of the de minimis exception that impacted cross-border trade volumes. The boom in cross-border e-commerce influences consumer expectations for two-day delivery and creates high demand for rapid air freight services. This trend is especially prominent on transpacific routes, which account for about a quarter of global air cargo and is estimated to grow in the upcoming years.

North American hubs, including Miami (MIA), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Rockford (RFD), and Chicago O'Hare (ORD), are witnessing significant cargo and logistics infrastructure investments, enabling better handling and faster throughput capabilities. In 2025, Dallas-Fort Worth airport officials announced they had invested in advanced cold chain solutions to handle pharmaceuticals and perishables. The facility houses temperature-controlled facilities and real-time monitoring systems to ensure the integrity of perishable goods. Thus, strong structural growth from e-commerce, reshoring, healthcare logistics, and infrastructure investments positions the North America air cargo market for sustainable expansion.

North America Air Cargo Market: Strategic Insights

North America Air Cargo Market Segmentation Analysis:

• By End User, the North America Air Cargo Market is segmented into Retail, Pharmaceutical or Healthcare, Food or Beverage, Consumer Electronics, Automotive, and Others. The Pharmaceutical or Healthcare segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By Type, the North America Air Cargo Market is segmented into Air Mail and Air Freight. The Air Freight segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By Services, the North America Air Cargo Market is segmented into Express and Regular. The Regular segment dominated the market in 2024.

North America Air Cargo Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics

The North America Air Cargo Market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.

North America Air Cargo Market Outlook

Intelligent cold chain solutions are anticipated to provide the airlines with the ability to manage sensitive cargo throughout the supply chain. New developments in climate control, as well as heating and cooling, will enable modern cool chain services to protect their clients' cargo. A good end-to-end intelligent cool chain solution will provide the IT tools required to make sure that temperature-sensitive cargo is handled appropriately and arrives at its destination on time. It should also mark a product as temperature-controlled and allow staff to configure specific requirements that the shipment may be subject to. In addition, next-generation platforms can also indicate what sustainable thermal packaging may be available for the product or commodity being shipped. It should also auto-stamp any temperature-sensitive cargo with the appropriate special handling code (SHC) to make sure that ground and ramp handling personnel are aware of the shipment's handling requirements. Based on an item's SHC and special handling instructions, ground personnel can quickly identify sensitive cargo for special treatment. Several companies, such as Accelya and Envirotainer, are engaged in developing cool chain solutions that will provide growth opportunities for air cargo market in the near future.

North America Air Cargo Market Country Insights

By country, the North America Air Cargo Market is segmented into the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The United States held the largest share in 2024.

According to a reputed source, United Airlines, a major airline operating in the US, carried 1.3 billion pounds of cargo in 2024, including 43 million pounds of medical shipments. The company's air cargo revenue rose by 17% from US$ 1.49 billion in 2023 to US$ 1.74 billion as of December 2024. Growth in the air cargo industry is propelled by soaring demand for e-commerce, strong manufacturing bases, and efficient logistics infrastructure. The air cargo industry is a critical conduit for the rapid and efficient movement of goods domestically and internationally. The industry is characterized by a strong infrastructure comprising the Memphis International Airport, home to FedEx Express's global hub; Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, the central node for UPS Airlines; and Chicago O'Hare International Airport, a key freight gateway. These hubs leverage advanced logistics technologies and streamline operational processes to maintain high service standards and meet growing demand.

The technological integration and focus on sustainability address increasing demand, global supply chain complexities, and the need for faster, more reliable delivery. The advancements, such as real-time tracking technologies, the adoption of blockchain technologies, and automated sorting and handling systems, are gaining traction in the industry. Airports and air cargo companies in the US leverage robotics and AI-powered conveyor belts to expedite cargo processing and reduce human error. In November 2024, FedEx announced that they have constructed an automated sorting facility near Memphis International Airport in Tennessee for US$ 1.3 million. The facility, which is equipped with eleven miles of conveyor belts, will be able to sort 56,000 packages per hour. Alternatively, real-time tracking technologies have increased transparency across the US air cargo supply chain. IoT-enabled sensors and GPS technology have enabled carriers such as DHL and UPS to offer clients precise updates on shipment locations and conditions.

The emergence of electric and hybrid cargo aircraft fuels the demand for sustainable air freight solutions. Key players are developing newer aircraft models with lower emissions and reduced operating costs. For instance, Boeing, an aircraft manufacturing company based in Virginia, US, is developing a new cargo aircraft model (777-8 freighter) focusing on lowering aircraft emissions.

North America Air Cargo Market Company Profiles

Some of the key players operating in the market include United Parcel Service Inc, FedEx Corp, ANA Cargo, Cargolux Airlines International S.A., Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, Emirates SkyCargo, Etihad Cargo, Zela Aviation The Air Charter Company, Lufthansa Group, Deutsche Post AG

These players are adopting various strategies such as expansion, product innovation, and mergers and acquisitions to provide innovative products to their consumers and increase their market share.

North America Air Cargo Market Research Methodology

The following methodology has been followed for the collection and analysis of data presented in this report:

Secondary Research

The research process begins with comprehensive secondary research, utilizing internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data for each market. Commonly referenced secondary research sources include, but are not limited to:

• Company websites, annual reports, financial statements, broker analyses, and investor presentations
• Industry trade journals and other relevant publications
• Government documents, statistical databases, and market reports
• News articles, press releases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market

Note: All financial data included in the Company Profiles section has been standardized to US$. For companies reporting in other currencies, figures have been converted to US$ using the relevant exchange rates for the corresponding year.

Primary Research

The Insight Partners conducts a significant number of primary interviews each year with industry stakeholders and experts to validate its data analysis and gain valuable insights. These research interviews are designed to:

• Validate and refine findings from secondary research
• Enhance the expertise and market understanding of the analysis team
• Gain insights into market size, trends, growth patterns, competitive dynamics, and future prospects

Primary research is conducted via email interactions and telephone interviews, encompassing various markets, categories, segments, and sub-segments across different regions. Participants typically include:

• Industry stakeholders: Vice Presidents, Business Development Managers, Market Intelligence Managers, and National Sales Managers
• External experts: Valuation specialists, research analysts, and key opinion leaders with industry-specific expertise