Air Freight Market Projected to Reach $225.26 Billion by 2031

The global air freight sector is entering a phase of sustained expansion, with new data from Mordor Intelligence projecting the market will reach a valuation of $225.26 billion by 2031. This forecast underscores the enduring importance of aerial logistics in an increasingly interconnected global economy, where speed and reliability often outweigh the higher costs associated with air transport compared to maritime or surface alternatives. The report highlights a significant milestone from 2025, noting that freight forwarding services captured a commanding 44.5% of the total market share, reinforcing the role of specialized intermediaries in managing the complexities of modern supply chains.

The dominance of freight forwarders reflects a broader industry trend toward outsourcing logistics management. As global trade regulations become more complex and capacity volatility remains a concern, shippers are leaning heavily on forwarders to secure space on cargo planes and belly-hold capacity in passenger aircraft. This 44.5% share indicates that nearly half of the value in the air freight market is being funneled through entities that specialize in consolidation, documentation, and multimodal integration. For the industry, this means that the asset-light model continues to thrive, even as some major carriers attempt to build direct-to-shipper digital platforms to bypass traditional intermediaries.

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The global air freight sector is entering a phase of sustained expansion, with new data from Mordor Intelligence projecting the market will reach a valuation of $225.26 billion by 2031.

Several macroeconomic factors are contributing to this $225 billion trajectory. The continued rise of cross-border e-commerce is perhaps the most significant tailwind. Consumers now expect delivery windows for international purchases that only air freight can satisfy. Furthermore, the high-tech and pharmaceutical sectors remain heavily reliant on air transport for high-value, time-sensitive, or temperature-controlled shipments. The growth of cold chain logistics for biologics and advanced electronics components ensures that air freight remains a non-discretionary spend for many of the world's most profitable industries, insulating the sector from some broader economic downturns.