Cargo Aircraft Charter Service Market Report 2026

The cargo aircraft charter service market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.89 billion in 2025 to $11.86 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global trade flows, rising demand for expedited freight solutions, growth in cross-border e-commerce shipments, increased use of air freight for high-value goods, limited availability of scheduled cargo capacity.

The cargo aircraft charter service market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.05 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing reliance on flexible logistics solutions, rising demand for rapid disaster relief logistics, expansion of global manufacturing networks, growing need for secure cargo transport, increasing use of on-demand air freight services. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for time-critical air cargo services, rising use of large cargo aircraft for project logistics, growing adoption of digital charter booking platforms, expansion of specialized cargo handling capabilities, enhanced focus on reliability and schedule flexibility.

The growing expansion of e-commerce is expected to propel the growth of the cargo aircraft charter service market going forward. E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. Cargo aircraft charter services offer rapid and flexible shipping solutions that help e-commerce businesses meet rising customer expectations for fast deliveries while also supporting efficient inventory replenishment through reliable and time-sensitive transportation options. For instance, in August 2025, according to the US Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, retail e-commerce sales totaled $304.2 billion in the second quarter of 2025, accounting for 16.3% of total retail sales and representing a 5.3% increase compared with the second quarter of 2024. Therefore, the growing expansion of e-commerce is driving the growth of the cargo aircraft charter service market.

Major companies operating in the cargo aircraft charter service market are focusing on advanced aircraft technologies such as the Boeing 777-200F to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve fuel efficiency, and expand long-haul service capabilities. The Boeing 777-200F is a long-range freighter aircraft designed for efficient cargo transportation, featuring a twin-engine configuration that supports lower operating costs and high reliability. It offers a maximum payload capacity of around 103 tons and a range of approximately 9,200 kilometers, making it well suited for long-haul cargo routes. For example, in August 2024, CMA CGM Air Cargo, a France-based freight logistics company, launched its first transatlantic cargo service operated using a Boeing 777-200F. The company initially planned to operate this route three times per week, with the intention of increasing frequency as additional aircraft are added to its fleet.

In April 2025, Stonepeak, a US-based investment firm, acquired Air Transport Services Group Inc. for approximately $3.1 billion. Through this acquisition, Stonepeak aims to expand and strengthen its global aviation infrastructure and aircraft leasing portfolio by increasing exposure to essential air cargo and outsourced airlift services that benefit from long-term e-commerce and logistics demand. Air Transport Services Group Inc. is a US-based aviation services company that specializes in cargo aircraft leasing, air cargo transportation, and ACMI and charter services through its airline subsidiaries, supporting express carriers, freight forwarders, and government customers worldwide.

Major companies operating in the cargo aircraft charter service market are United Parcel Service, DSV A/S, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Cargo Partner, Vietjetair Cargo, Cargo Air Chartering, AYR Logistics Limited, CTS Logistics Group, ACC Aviation, Chapman Freeborn, Air Partner, Logistics Plus, CSI Aviation Inc., Rhenus Logistics, Arcus-Air GmbH and Co. KG, Fliteline B.V., Prescott Support, Aviocharter, Air Charter Services Pvt. Ltd., Airmacs Aviation, JALCARGO Charter Service, Euroasian Cargo Solutions, XELLZ Air Cargo Charter Services (XACS)

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the cargo aircraft charter service market in 2025. The regions covered in the cargo aircraft charter service market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the cargo aircraft charter service market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cargo aircraft charter service market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as door-to-door service, loading and unloading, humanitarian aid, and shipping facilities. 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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