Air Cargo Demand Outpaces Capacity Growth: Supply Chain Impact

The air cargo market is experiencing a structural imbalance where demand growth is outpacing the expansion of available cargo capacity, creating persistent supply chain pressures. This mismatch reflects broader recovery patterns in global trade and e-commerce growth following pandemic disruptions, yet the aviation industry has not scaled cargo infrastructure proportionally. The capacity constraint is particularly acute in certain trade lanes and regions, forcing shippers to make difficult choices between higher freight costs, longer transit times, or alternative transportation modes.

For supply chain professionals, this dynamic has immediate operational consequences. Organizations relying on air freight for time-sensitive goods—including perishables, high-value electronics, and pharmaceutical products—face elevated costs and reduced booking flexibility. The shortage creates a tiered market where premium pricing favors larger freight consolidators, while smaller shippers absorb higher per-unit costs or accept schedule delays.

Additionally, the sustained imbalance suggests this is not a temporary spike but a structural shift requiring strategic planning adjustments. Looking ahead, the capacity-demand gap will likely persist until airlines increase dedicated cargo capacity or passenger flight networks rebound sufficiently to provide belly-cargo relief. Supply chain teams should consider diversifying their air freight dependencies, optimizing demand forecasting to avoid peak-period congestion, and evaluating alternative routing strategies that leverage less-congested regional hubs.