Air freight strengthens trade resilience – Iata

Air cargo helped sustain global trade in 2025, despite rising tariffs and policy uncertainty. According to Iata it enabled accelerated shipments worth USD 157 billion to the USA and transported most global trade in AI-related goods.

Air cargo played a central role in global trade flows during 2025. A report by Iata shows that businesses relied on fast airfreight connections to manage tariff changes, shift supply chains and deliver high-value technology goods. The sector helped sustain global trade growth of 2.4% and supported economic expansion despite growing trade tensions.

Tariff pressures reshape supply chains

Companies used air cargo to accelerate shipments before new tariffs took effect. During the first quarter of 2025, imports into the USA increased by USD 193 billion year-on-year. Goods worth USD 157 billion of this increase moved by airfreight. That represents 82% of the total growth in imports during the period.

Enterprises also adjusted sourcing strategies to reduce tariff exposure. Importers shifted procurement away from high-tariff partners, while exporters redirected shipments towards alternative markets, especially in Europe. Air cargo enabled rapid adjustments because it allows high-value goods to move quickly between regions.

The sector also supported the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technology. More than two thirds of the global value of AI-related trade travelled by air in 2025. Shipments of servers, memory chips and data storage equipment increased by 20% compared with the previous year. These goods accounted for 54% of the total value of air cargo trade, while representing only 7% of volume, highlighting their high value density.

www.iata.org