Aerospace Industry Today

Freighter Aircraft Market size to Reach USD 12.11 Billion by 2031, Driven by E-Commerce Demand, Fleet Renewal, and Expanding Trade Lanes - Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence has published a new report on the freighter aircraft market, offering a comprehensive analysis of trends, growth drivers, and future projections.
Published 04 March 2026

Freighter Aircraft Market Overview 

According to Mordor Intelligence, the freighter aircraft market size is projected to grow from USD 8.92 billion in 2025 to USD 9.40 billion in 2026, and further reach USD 12.11 billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 5.20% during the forecast period. 

This freighter aircraft market growth is supported by sustained cross-border e-commerce activity, a reduction in passenger belly-hold cargo capacity, and regulatory requirements that are influencing aircraft replacement cycles. As air cargo operators adapt to these long-term factors, the freighter aircraft industry continues to witness investment in both new-build freighters and passenger-to-freighter conversion programs. 

Freighter Aircraft Market Trends Shaping Industry Expansion 

E-Commerce and Express Parcel Expansion: One of the most visible freighter aircraft market trends is the rapid rise in cross-border parcel shipments. Express cargo now accounts for a significant portion of international air freight volumes. Dedicated main-deck capacity is increasingly preferred over passenger belly cargo, especially during peak seasons. 

Fleet Renewal Driven by Environmental Regulations: Environmental standards are influencing purchasing decisions across the freighter aircraft market. Regulations related to emissions and aircraft noise are encouraging operators to retire older aircraft types and invest in more fuel-efficient models. 

Reduced Passenger Belly Cargo Capacity: The retirement of several widebody passenger aircraft models has permanently reduced available belly-hold cargo space. Narrowbody passenger replacements do not provide the same cargo capacity, resulting in structural supply limitations. 

Expansion of Intra-Regional Trade Corridors: Trade diversification across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and other emerging corridors is another important freighter aircraft market trend. Intra-regional routes are seeing higher cargo volumes as supply chains shift toward new manufacturing hubs. 

Check out more details and stay updated with the latest industry trends, including the Japanese version for localized insights: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/ja/industry-reports/freighter-aircraft-market?utm_source=industrytoday  

Freighter Aircraft Market Segmentation Analysis 

By Aircraft Type 

  • OEM Configured Freighters 
  • Passenger-to-Freighter Conversion 

By Payload Capacity 

  • Standard-Body 
  • Medium Widebody 
  • Large Widebody 

By Engine Type 

  • Turbofan 
  • Turboprop 

By Geography 

  • North America 
  • South America 
  • Europe 
  • Asia-Pacific 
  • Middle East and Africa 

Explore Our Full Library of Aerospace & Defense Research Report: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/market-analysis/aerospace-defense?utm_source=industrytoday   

Competitive Landscape of the Freighter Aircraft Market 

The freighter aircraft industry features a concentrated manufacturing base along with a competitive conversion ecosystem. OEMs focus on efficiency and compliance, while conversion specialists compete on turnaround time and cost optimization. 

Key Players in the Freighter Aircraft Market 

  • The Boeing Company 
  • Airbus SE 
  • Avions de Transport Régional 
  • Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd 
  • Aeronautical Engineers Inc. 

Conclusion 

The freighter aircraft market continues to demonstrate resilience amid regulatory shifts and changing trade dynamics. The combination of rising e-commerce volumes, limited belly cargo availability, and environmental compliance requirements is sustaining demand across aircraft categories. 

While cost pressures related to fuel and emissions remain considerations within the freighter aircraft industry, fleet modernization efforts and route optimization strategies are supporting balanced freighter aircraft market growth. Operators are aligning capital allocation with long-term demand visibility, reinforcing stability in the freighter aircraft market forecast. 

As global trade corridors diversify and logistics networks prioritize reliability, the freighter aircraft market size is expected to remain on a steady upward trajectory. Both OEM manufacturers and conversion specialists are positioned to maintain their freighter aircraft market share, ensuring that dedicated cargo aviation remains a vital component of international supply chains. 

Get detailed insights on the freighter aircraft market: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/freighter-aircraft-market?utm_source=industrytoday  

Industry Related Reports 

America Freighter Aircraft Market: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/america-freighter-aircraft-market?utm_source=industrytoday 

Asia-Pacific Freighter Aircraft Market Size:  https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/asia-pacific-freighter-aircraft-market?utm_source=industrytoday 

Europe Freighter Aircraft Market Share:  https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/europe-freighter-aircraft-market?utm_source=industrytoday 

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About Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals. 

With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics. 

For any inquiries or to access the full report, please contact: 

media@mordorintelligence.com 

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/ 

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