Industry Overview
As Europe’s logistics environment becomes ever more complex—with pressures from sustainability, digitalisation, geopolitical shifts and consumer expectations—the air freight industry is being reshaped. Air cargo is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a strategic asset for supply-chain resilience and speed-to-market.

Market Outlook
By 2035, the Europe air freight market Segments is projected to reach around USD 80.3 billion, nearly double the 2024 baseline of USD 39.7 billion. The 6.6% CAGR signals meaningful growth but also highlights that differentiation and efficiency matter. Providers must navigate rising fuel costs, stricter emissions standards and capacity constraints.

Key Players
Top logistics companies such as DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, FedEx and UPS continue to dominate, but strategic moves such as green logistics initiatives, digital freight platforms and service innovation are becoming differentiators. Regional players in Europe are also stepping up with niche offerings, specialised lanes and value-added services (e.g., cold-chain, high-security cargo).

Segmentation & Growth

• Type: International air freight remains dominant—reflecting Europe’s cross-border trade intensity.

• Service Mode: Door-to-door services are gaining ground, representing a shift towards integrated logistics rather than standalone air transport.

• Country / Regional Focus: Germany continues to lead Europe’s market, supported by its strong economy, airport infrastructure and export focus (~25.3% share).

Strategic Imperatives

• Digitalisation & Data Analytics: Real-time tracking, predictive analytics and process automation will become table-stakes.

• Sustainable Operations: With emissions regulation tightening, air freight firms must adopt greener aircraft, carbon-offset programmes and low-emission ground operations.

• Service Innovation: Shippers expect more — tailored solutions for perishables, pharma, e-commerce, door-to-door fulfilment and express delivery.

• Network Optimisation: Given capacity constraints in key hubs, carriers and freight forwarders must optimise routes, partner networks and intermodal connections.

Conclusion
Looking ahead, Europe air freight market offers substantial opportunity—but it’s not simply about more capacity. It’s about smarter capacity, smarter services and smarter business models. Industry stakeholders who take a proactive, holistic approach—melding digital, sustainable, service-led and network-driven strategies—will be best placed to capitalise on the market’s upward trajectory.