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The global economy relies heavily on air cargo carriers, with less than 1% of shipments by volume but about 33% by value transported by air. The high value and time-sensitive nature of these goods have made major US cargo airlines—FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, and Amazon Air—key players in international logistics.
These three companies have seen significant changes in recent years. E-commerce growth and shifting trade patterns contributed to a roughly 20% increase in the global air cargo fleet since 2020. FedEx and UPS have long dominated the market, but Amazon Air’s rapid expansion has changed the competitive landscape.
FedEx Express currently operates the world’s largest dedicated cargo fleet, with 376 jet aircraft averaging 17.4 years old. This is younger than the fleets at UPS or Amazon Air. In addition to its mainline jets, FedEx also manages a feeder network of smaller turboprops like ATRs and Cessna SkyCouriers. Following the loss of its US Postal Service contract last year, FedEx has reduced domestic flights while focusing more on international premium air cargo services traditionally handled by freight forwarders. This shift has increased demand for widebody freighters in its fleet.
