Air cargo trade enabled $157 billion in pre-tariff US import shipments during the first quarter of 2025, according to a report published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on March 10, 2026, in Lima, Peru. The report also found that air cargo carried more than two-thirds of global goods linked to artificial intelligence during the same year.
These activities supported global trade growth of 2.4% in 2025, surpassing initial World Trade Organization forecasts. Moreover, global GDP grew by 3.2%, despite significant challenges posed by trade and economic policies throughout the year.
Pre-Loading Surge Driven by Tariff Uncertainty
Average US tariff rates rose to approximately 17% in 2025, the highest level since the 1930s. Consequently, many companies used air cargo to accelerate shipments ahead of tariff implementation. US imports increased by $193 billion year-on-year in Q1 2025, a rise of 26%.
Air-transported imports accounted for the vast majority of that increase. Specifically, the value of air-transported US imports rose 81% year-on-year in Q1, reaching $157 billion — representing 82% of the total $193 billion Q1 increase.
Air Cargo Trade Routes Restructured Rapidly
Beyond the pre-loading surge, companies began restructuring supply chains to reduce tariff exposure. US importers shifted sourcing away from partners facing high tariffs, while exporters redirected shipments toward alternative markets, particularly in Europe.
Between April and December 2025, air cargo benefited far more from expanding trade routes than it was affected by contracting ones. For the United States, imports via expanding routes rose by $213 billion, of which $174 billion (82%) moved by air. In contrast, US imports via contracting routes fell by $257 billion, but air cargo represented only $77 billion (30%) of that segment. A similar pattern emerged in Europe, where air cargo absorbed 48% of gains on expanding routes but was affected by only 3% of losses on contracting routes.
Air Freight Enabled AI Investment Growth
As artificial intelligence investment accelerated in 2025, air cargo delivered high-value, time-sensitive equipment including servers, data storage units, and memory chips. More than two-thirds of AI-related trade value moved by air during the year.
AI-related air cargo shipments grew 20% year-on-year in 2025. Furthermore, AI-related goods accounted for 53.5% of total air-transported trade value, despite representing only 7% of total air cargo volume. This figure underscores the high value density and strategic importance of the sector to the air freight industry.
“Air cargo is a fundamental component of global economic resilience. In 2025, it helped companies absorb tariff shocks, facilitated rapid restructuring of trade routes, and supported the expansion of AI investments, thereby maintaining trade continuity and economic growth in a challenging year.”
Julia Sermann, Head of Sector Analysis, IATA
Outlook for Air Cargo and Technology Goods
Sermann added that the accelerated demand for AI goods in 2025 was met through air cargo, allowing investments to translate into tangible economic activity rather than being constrained by logistical bottlenecks. As economies increase their strategic reliance on high-value technology goods, air cargo is expected to continue playing a decisive role in ensuring timely delivery.
IATA represents approximately 360 airlines operating more than 80% of global air traffic. The association published the full report on March 10, 2026, alongside its broader analysis of global trade performance during a year marked by policy volatility.