The latest Cirium Fleet Forecast indicates a substantial expansion in the global air cargo sector, projecting the delivery of about 747 new freighter aircraft to customers between 2026 and 2045. This forecast outlines an anticipated annual growth rate of 2% for the global freighter fleet over this two-decade period.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this projected growth suggests a consistent increase in air cargo capacity. While the 2% annual growth rate is slightly lower than previous estimates, it still points to a healthy market for airfreight services. This expansion could lead to more stable capacity and potentially more competitive rates on key air cargo lanes in the long term, assuming demand keeps pace with supply. Forwarders should monitor these trends to optimize their air cargo strategies and leverage new aircraft availability for specific routes or cargo types.
