Air Transport Market Report 2025

This Air Transport market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.

The air transport market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.11 trillion in 2024 to $1.19 trillion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to economic growth, globalization, tourism and leisure travel, connectivity and accessibility.

The air transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.5 trillion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to emerging markets, global trade and e-commerce, urbanization, aircraft efficiency and sustainability, connectivity and network expansion. Major trends in the forecast period include sustainable aviation, digital transformation, air cargo and e-commerce, ultra-long-haul flights.

The growth of the air transport market is anticipated to be significantly propelled by the increasing prominence of e-commerce and online shopping. E-commerce, or electronic commerce, involves the buying and selling of goods and services through online platforms and electronic communication channels. Air transport plays a pivotal role in enhancing e-commerce by ensuring the swift and efficient delivery of products, expanding the market reach for online retailers, and reducing delivery times for customers, thereby promoting convenience and customer satisfaction. For example, as reported by the International Trade Administration, a US-based Department of Commerce, in September 2022, consumer eCommerce accounted for 30% of the UK's overall retail sector, up from 20% in 2020, with annual e-commerce revenue surpassing $120 billion. In 2021, 82% of people in the UK had made at least one online purchase. Consequently, the surge in e-commerce and online shopping is a driving force behind the growth of the air transport market.

The aviation industry is experiencing a rapid growth in the use of analytics to extract valuable insights from both customer and operational data. This trend enables airlines to provide personalized services to their customers, utilizing data analytics tools at various touchpoints. The increased adoption of analytics in aviation is primarily a response to intensifying competition among airlines. Consequently, commercial airlines are actively seeking to improve customer satisfaction levels by scrutinizing factors like ticket sales, passenger demographics, and purchase history. For example, Chicago-based United Airlines employs the analysis of 150 variables in customer profiles to offer more personalized offerings. Notably, major companies such as Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines are at the forefront of utilizing analytics within the aviation industry.

Leading companies in the air transport market are focusing on developing advanced technological solutions, such as NextGen eVTOL aircraft, to cater to the growing urban air mobility (UAM) sector. These NextGen eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft are designed for efficient and eco-friendly urban transportation, enabling vertical take-off and landing in confined spaces while minimizing environmental impact. For example, in March 2024, Airbus SE, a Netherlands-based aerospace corporation, unveiled the CityAirbus NextGen, an innovative all-electric eVTOL aircraft prototype. This groundbreaking vehicle represents a significant leap in urban air mobility. With a wingspan of approximately 12 meters, a weight class of two tons, and a flight range of up to 80 kilometers, the CityAirbus NextGen is designed to accommodate one pilot and three passengers, achieving speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. The aircraft features fixed wings, a V-shaped tail, and eight electric-powered propellers in a distributed propulsion system, enhancing efficiency and safety.

Major companies operating in the air transport market include The Emirates Group, China Airlines Ltd., American Airlines Group Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., United Airlines Inc., China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C, Air France-KLM SA, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, FedEx Corporation, United Parcel Service Inc., Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, Cargolux Airlines International SA, Japan Airlines Co. Ltd., ANA Holdings Inc., International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, Magma Aviation Limited, Deutsche Post AG, Kuehne Nagel International AG, AirBridgeCargo Airlines LLC, Cargojet Inc., Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S/A, Latam Airlines, Compania Panamena de Aviacion SA, Lufthansa Cargo AG, Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd., Singapore Airlines Ltd., Air China Limited, Turkish Airlines Inc., Air Canada Inc., Ethiopian Airlines Group, British Airways PLC, Air India Limited, Malaysia Airlines Berhad, Philippine Airlines Inc., Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk PT, Royal Jordanian Airlines.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the air transport market in 2024. North America was the second largest region in the air transport market. The regions covered in the air transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The countries covered in the air transport market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.

Air transport involves the movement of individuals and cargo using aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters, which offer both scheduled and unscheduled air services. This mode of transportation facilitates rapid delivery of goods, decreased travel time, heightened security, and minimizes the risk of goods getting lost during transit.

The primary categories of air transport include passenger air transport, chartered air transport, and air cargo services. Chartered air transport services encompass both public and private charter services, offering air transportation to passengers. The market is further categorized based on distance, distinguishing between long-distance and short-distance travel, and by end-use, differentiating between private and commercial aviation.

The air transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides air transport market statistics, including air transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an air transport services market share, detailed air transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the air transport services industry. This air transport 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 air transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing transportation services for fast delivery of goods and services in business operations and emergencies. 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.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.