AIR CARG O WEEK


MARKET FORECAST


AFKLMP CARGO: LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE


GERTJAN ROELANDS – SVP COMMERCIAL AT AIR FRANCE KLM MARTINAIR CARGO – CONSIDERS AIRFREIGHT’S NEXT CHAPTER: AGILITY, INTELLIGENCE, AND THE RISE OF CUSTOMER-CENTRIC CARGO.


T he global airfreight industry is undergoing a structural


transformation that extends far beyond traditional cycles. What once was a market defined by volatility, seasonality, and network advantages is now increasingly shaped by rapid shifts in global trade, heightened digital expectations and the rising


strategic importance of time-critical logistics. Recent performance across all major regions underscores this shift. In 2024, Asia–Pacific recorded the strongest


year-over-year cargo


demand growth at roughly 14.5 percent, followed by Europe at around 11.2 percent and North America at approximately 6.6 percent. The Middle East, Africa, and Latin America also posted solid increases. Together, these trends confirm that demand growth is broad-based, diversified, and closely linked to structural forces such as e-commerce globalisation, cross-border pharmaceutical flows, nearshoring of high- tech manufacturing and the redesign of global supply networks. Forecasts for the medium term reinforce this upward trajectory. The


sector’s global market value—estimated at $257 billion in 2023—is projected to rise toward $500 billion by 2030. Outlooks for 2025 and 2026 indicate continued momentum, with annual demand growth expected in the 4–6 percent range, consistently outpacing capacity expansion of roughly


3–4 percent. Much of the added passenger capacity is concentrated on


leisure-heavy—and therefore less cargo-friendly—routes, with


significant regional variation. This uneven development may tighten supply–demand dynamics on key trade lanes, creating localised pressure on ATK and potentially improving yields from an airline perspective. Within this environment, premium cargo segments continue to gain


relevance. Express and e-commerce flows are accelerating as cross- border online purchasing becomes further embedded in global consumer behavior,


particularly along Asia–Europe and Asia–North America


corridors. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare remain among the most demanding cargo categories, with biologics, vaccines, and temperature- sensitive therapies requiring validated cool-chain infrastructure and precise,


compliant handling. Perishables—produce, flowers, and


seafood—maintain steady volumes year-round, driven by globalised consumption and improved cold-chain logistics. New growth engines are reinforcing the outlook for 2026 as well.


High-tech industries—including semiconductors, advanced electronics, AI hardware, and equipment required for the rapid expansion of global data center capacity—are increasingly dependent on air transport due to their high value density, sensitivity to delays, and narrow production cycles. These flows are expected to remain among the most time- critical cargo categories as AI adoption accelerates and supply chains for chips and compute infrastructure remain geographically dispersed. Defense and aerospace volumes are also rising, reflecting higher global security spending and the need for compliant, secure transport of sensitive components. Both sectors will remain strategic contributors to airfreight demand, placing growing emphasis on precision, regulatory adherence, and global reach. As competitive dynamics evolve, one requirement stands out—


agility. Shippers are navigating a landscape where geopolitical shifts, labor constraints, regulatory changes, and sudden demand spikes have become more frequent. The ability to anticipate, adapt, and respond rapidly is increasingly decisive, surpassing traditional differentiators such as fleet size or network scope. Digitalisation, once considered an operational enhancement, has become a fundamental capability— encompassing


predictive intelligence, real-time transparency, and


frictionless data integration. Against this backdrop, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo)


is positioning itself as a digitally enabled logistics partner. The myCargo digital ecosystem provides real-time booking, dynamic pricing, instant confirmation, end-to-end tracking, digital documentation, and full API integration—capabilities that customers now regard as indispensable in a high-velocity market. These tools provide immediate visibility into capacity and performance, enabling shippers to plan more precisely and reduce operational friction. AFKLMP Cargo’s new CRM 360 platform adds another layer of intelligence. This next-generation global service platform will connect


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