Air cargo demand grew 4% in 2025, but analysts predict slower growth this year

According to data provider Xeneta, the air cargo market closed 2025 with a 6% year-on-year increase in demand for December and an overall annual growth of 4%. Capacity rose 5% in December, and the dynamic load factor improved by one percentage point to 63%.

This represents interesting news for the U-Freight Group, with our strong presence in the expedited international airfreight sector, as well as the clients we serve.

Xeneta stated that the demand performance reflected shippers’ willingness to shift to the speed and reliability of air cargo during times of disruption and economic uncertainty, a situation influenced by US tariffs.

For the coming year, Xeneta expects volume growth to moderate to an increase of 2-3%. 

Xeneta said that what happens next will be heavily influenced by what happens in e-commerce, a sector in which U-Freight has a very strong logistics presence.

For more information about the U-Freight Group’s global air freight forwarding and logistics services, or our e-commerce logistics operations, please visit the relevant pages of this website or contact your local office, details of which can be seen here: https://ufreight.com/locations