AIR CARG O WEEK
MARKET FORECAST
SUPPLEMENT
2025: AIRFREIGHT ADVENTURES AND UNEXPECTED CARGO CAPERS
A
h, 2025. A year as predictable as a cat deciding whether to sit in the box you just bought for it or the packaging it came in. But one thing is crystal clear: the skies will be buzzing with aircraft, tirelessly hauling everything from emergency medical supplies to that extra- large avocado slicer someone ordered at 2 a.m. because they were
feeling fancy. Yes, airfreight will remain the unsung hero of global commerce, with professionals working around the clock to ensure goods soar through the skies and land exactly where they’re needed—or at least pretty close. Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Airfreight doesn’t take holidays.
While you’re binge-watching your favourite series or pretending to stick to your gym resolution, there will be legions of dedicated people - men, women and possibly even robots - loading, flying, and unloading shipments across airports both glamorous and “barely-a-strip-of-runway” chic. Cargo doesn’t care about weekends or national holidays; it just wants to be delivered, preferably on time and without suspicious dents. Every single one of the 365 days in 2025 will see cargo planes crisscrossing
the globe. Somewhere, a forklift will beep relentlessly in reverse and a weary pilot will sip coffee strong enough to make their hair stand on end. The dance of logistics continues and it’s both magnificent and mildly chaotic.
Trendy disruptions: Near-shoring takes the spotlight Speaking of chaos, 2025’s airfreight scene is expected to get a good shake- up thanks to near-shoring. For those uninitiated, near-shoring is the corporate equivalent of realising you don’t need to drive across town for tacos when there’s a perfectly good taco truck around the corner. Businesses are inching their supply chains closer to home to save on costs, cut delivery times, and avoid the risk of their widgets getting stuck in customs purgatory. For airfreight, this means potential turbulence - metaphorically, of course.
Fewer transcontinental shipments could mean shorter hauls and possibly fewer “can you believe it’s on backorder again?” moments. But it also means new strategies and opportunities for industry players to flex their logistical muscles. Let’s be honest, though; if airfreight professionals can handle shipping live lobsters, thoroughbred horses, and delicate glass sculptures, they can handle a little near-shoring.
New kid on the tarmac Next up, Artificial Intelligence. AI has been slowly infiltrating airfreight operations, and in 2025, it’s not just here to stay - it’s here to boss us around in the nicest, most data-driven way possible. Picture this: an airport terminal where algorithms optimise every movement, from loading cargo to plotting flight paths. It’s like having a super-intelligent air traffic controller who never needs coffee breaks or complains about Mondays. AI will continue to streamline processes, saving time, fuel, and probably
a few human tempers. Who knows, it might even help cargo handlers finally crack the age-old mystery of why some packages are labelled “fragile” yet seem to invite disaster. If machines start quoting Shakespeare while plotting cargo routes, we might officially have crossed into the realm of sci-fi.
The plot thickens But let’s not get too comfortable. 2025 will have a dark side, and no, it’s not just about delayed flights. Greater security will take centre stage as the industry battles shadowy figures and their nefarious parcel-related antics. Malignant actors - possibly the same folks who brought us spam emails about a Nigerian prince’s fortune - are thought to be behind a spate of alarming security incidents. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill mischief-makers; they’re sophisticated,
sneaky, and probably wearing sunglasses indoors. Security measures will tighten, with everything from X-rays to sniffing dogs to AI-powered scanners working overtime to keep our skies safe. Somewhere, James Bond is nodding in approval.
The never-ending soap opera Meanwhile, the geopolitical stage is shaping up to make 2025 a year of suspense and nail-biting. The Middle East continues to demand attention, the situation in Ukraine remains a key concern, and tensions over the South China Sea could make any airfreight planner want to invest in antacids. These hot spots are like the world’s most dysfunctional family reunion, and airfreight is caught in the crossfire. Global players will need to tread carefully, balancing diplomacy with the
need to keep goods flowing. It’s a delicate dance, but airfreight professionals are nothing if not resilient. If they can navigate a snowstorm, a union strike, and a holiday rush all in the same week, they can handle a bit of geopolitics.
365 days of airborne antics Through it all, one thing remains indisputably true: airfreight will continue its relentless pace. Every single minute, somewhere in the world, a package is being loaded, tracked, or delivered. It might be a life-saving vaccine, a critical machine part, or a shipment of limited-edition sneakers someone will camp out for. Whatever the cargo, it will move—swiftly, securely, and with a lot of behind-the-scenes effort. So, as we brace for 2025, let’s tip our hats to the unsung heroes of
airfreight. They are the people (and machines) who make sure the world keeps turning, one shipment at a time. Whether they’re dodging geopolitical quagmires, wrangling AI systems, or ensuring fragile cargo stays intact, they’re the reason your next-day delivery dreams come true. Here’s to another year of high-flying logistics, and may the skies stay ever in our favour.
The ACW Supplement Team
Supplement Editor: ACW Editor:
News Reporter:
Regional Representative (APAC): Regional Representative (Europe):
James Graham Edward Hardy
Anastasiya Simsek Ajinkya Gurav Kim Adam
Regional Representative (North America): Oscar Sardinas Associate Editor:
Director of Operations:
International Media Sales Director: International Sales Executive: Finance Manager:
Design & Production Manager: Production Supervisor: Website Consultant: Managing Director:
Chris Lewis Kim Smith
Rosa Bellanca Zainab Khalid Rachel Burns Alex Brown Kevin Dennis
Tim Brocklehurst Steven Polmans
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Whilst every care is taken, the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for any errors in articles or advertisements. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by electronic, mechanical, photographic or other means without the prior consent of the publishers. USA: The publishers shall not be liable for losses, claims, damages or expenses arising out of or attributed to the contents of Air Cargo Week, insofar as they are based on information, presentations, reports or data that have been publicly disseminated, furnished or otherwise communicated to Air Cargo Week.
AZURA INTERNATIONAL
In our next supplement, we look at World Airports.
If you wish to be involved, please contact the editor, James Graham at
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