Air cargo enabled the frontloading of $157 billion in United States imports during the first quarter of 2025, according to a Mar. 10 statement from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The sector also transported more than two thirds of global artificial intelligence-related goods that year.
These developments contributed to a global trade growth rate of 2.4% in 2025, which was higher than initial forecasts by the World Trade Organization. Global gross domestic product expanded by 3.2% despite policy challenges.
Julia Seiermann, IATA’s Head of Industry Analysis, said, “Air cargo is a structural component of global economic resilience. In 2025, it helped businesses absorb tariff shocks, enabled rapid trade restructuring, and supported the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) investment, helping sustain trade and economic growth in a challenging year.”
In response to rising tariffs—average applied US rates reached about 17%, their highest since the 1930s—many companies accelerated shipments using air cargo to avoid new costs. US imports increased by $193 billion year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with air transport accounting for $157 billion or roughly 82% of this increase. Companies also restructured supply chains to reduce tariff exposure by shifting sourcing away from heavily affected partners and redirecting exports toward alternative markets such as Europe.
During April through December 2025, air cargo benefited more from expanding trade lanes than it lost from contracting ones. For expanding US trade lanes, imports rose by $213 billion with $174 billion carried by air; on contracting lanes, air accounted for only $77 billion out of a $257 billion decline. In Europe, air cargo carried nearly half the gains on growing routes but just a small portion on shrinking ones.
The rise in AI investment further boosted demand for air freight services. More than two thirds of AI-related goods were shipped by air in 2025; these consignments grew by 20% compared to the previous year and made up over half the total value of all goods transported by air while representing only seven percent of volume due to their high value density.
Seiermann said, “The rapid increase in demand for AI-related goods in 2025 was met thanks to air cargo, allowing investment to translate into economic activity rather than being constrained by logistics. As economies increasingly and strategically rely on high-value technology goods, air cargo will continue to play a critical role in ensuring their timely delivery.”
The International Air Transport Association works to enrich the world through a safe, secure and sustainable air transport industry according to its official website. The association includes about 360 member airlines that account for more than eighty percent of global air traffic according to its official website. IATA seeks to represent, lead and serve the airline industry according to its official website. Willie Walsh has served as director general per its official website. The organization maintains offices worldwide including headquarters in Montreal as indicated on its official website and engages in advocacy and partnerships globally as outlined on its official website.
