Air Cargo Volumes Continue Steady Growth in 2025
The latest figures from Airports Council International (ACI World) show that global air cargo volumes reached nearly 128.9 million metric tonnes in 2025, reflecting a 2.9% year on year increase.
While the growth rate is moderate, it reinforces the ongoing role of air freight in supporting global trade and supply chains, particularly where speed and reliability are critical.
Major Hubs Continue to Dominate
The data highlights a continued concentration of cargo volumes across a relatively small number of airports.
The top three air cargo hubs remain unchanged:
Hong Kong (HKG) retained its position as the world’s leading cargo airport
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) ranked second, continuing its strong growth trajectory
Anchorage (ANC) moved into third place, supported by its strategic role on transpacific routes
Overall, the top 10 busiest air cargo airports accounted for approximately 26% of global volumes, underlining the importance of these key gateways in international logistics.
Shifts Within the Top Rankings
Some notable movements were recorded within the top 10:
Louisville (SDF) and Miami (MIA) experienced strong double digit growth, largely driven by express freight and e-commerce demand
Memphis (MEM) recorded a significant decline, reflecting changes in integrator network volumes
Other hubs, including Incheon, Doha, Taipei, and Guangzhou, continued to show steady performance
These shifts indicate that while the leading hubs remain consistent, cargo flows and network strategies continue to evolve.
A Concentrated but Resilient Network
The latest rankings reinforce a broader trend within the air freight sector, global cargo is increasingly concentrated across major hubs in Asia and North America.
This concentration supports efficiency and connectivity but also highlights the importance of these airports in maintaining the flow of goods worldwide.
Air Freight into Australia
For businesses importing into Australia, these global trends play an important role in shaping capacity, transit times, and pricing.
With many of the leading cargo hubs located in Asia, Australia remains well connected to key international markets via air freight, particularly for shipments moving from China and other major manufacturing centres.
Air freight continues to be a preferred option for time-sensitive shipments, high-value or low-volume goods, and e-commerce or urgent replenishment stock.
However, importing via air also requires careful coordination around customs clearance, biosecurity requirements, and documentation, particularly under the regulations set by the Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
How End to End Logistics Can Help
End to End Logistics supports importers with reliable and efficient air freight services into Australia, helping to navigate the complexities of international shipping.
This includes coordinating shipments internationally, managing customs clearance and compliance requirements, providing competitive air freight options, and ensuring smooth delivery from origin through to final destination.
With global cargo flows continuing to evolve, having the right logistics partner in place can make a significant difference in maintaining supply chain efficiency and reliability.