Logistic News

TOP TEN LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD

10 May 2025

Air transport is one of the most vital modes of global logistics. Although it accounts for only a small portion of total cargo volume, it plays a leading role in terms of the value of goods moved in international trade, thanks to its speed and ability to connect continents seamlessly.

The rapid growth of the air cargo industry has driven airlines to continuously expand their fleets and boost capacity to keep up with the rising demands of the global market.

Below is a list of the world’s top 10 cargo airlines, ranked by CTK (Cargo Tonne-Kilometers) — a metric that measures freight traffic by the number of tonnes of cargo transported multiplied by the distance flown. The rankings are based on data from the IATA Report 2023.

1. FEDEX EXPRESS


FedEx Express is the world’s largest cargo airline, operating under the  FedEx Corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. With a formidable fleet of over 650 aircraft, FedEx Express maintains an extensive network spanning more than 375 destinations across over 220 countries and territories.

The airline specializes in global express delivery services, particularly for high-value shipments that require strict delivery timelines. Measured by Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (CTK), FedEx leads the world with an annual cargo capacity exceeding 17,923 million tonne-kilometers, making it a key player in the international supply chain.

2. QATAR AIRWAY CARGO

Qatar Airways Cargo is the freight division of Qatar’s national airline, headquartered at Hamad International Airport in Doha. With a dedicated fleet of over 30 freighters—including Boeing 777Fs and Airbus A310Fs—and access to the belly space of more than 200 passenger aircraft, Qatar Airways Cargo operates one of the largest air cargo networks in the world.

The airline serves over 65 dedicated cargo destinations and more than 150 passenger destinations capable of carrying freight, providing strong connectivity across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Currently ranked second globally by cargo traffic, Qatar Airways Cargo transports approximately 14.4 million tonne-kilometers annually, known for its premium service, speed, and exceptional reliability in the air logistics industry.

3. UPS AIRLINES

UPS Airlines is the air cargo division of United Parcel Service (UPS), one of the world’s largest logistics companies, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Its main operating hub, known as Worldport, is located at Louisville International Airport and is recognized as one of the most advanced air freight sorting facilities globally.

With a fleet of over 290 aircraft, UPS Airlines serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The airline moves nearly 14.2 million tonne-kilometers of cargo annually, ranking among the top three air cargo carriers globally. It is renowned for its precise, reliable, and fast delivery services that are integral to global supply chains.

4. EMIRATES SKYCARGO

Emirates SkyCargo is the freight division of Emirates Airline, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with its primary operations based at Dubai International Airport (DXB). The division operates a dedicated fleet of 11 Boeing 777F freighters and leverages the cargo capacity of over 260 wide-body passenger aircraft—including Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s—from Emirates’ main fleet.

Serving more than 155 destinations across 80 countries, Emirates SkyCargo moves over 10.6 million tonne-kilometers of freight annually. With its extensive global reach and significant cargo capacity, it ranks among the world’s leading air freight carriers.

5. ATLAS AIR

Atlas Air, a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, is headquartered in Purchase, New York. Unlike traditional cargo carriers, Atlas Air specializes in ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing, charter services, and contract operations for major clients such as DHL, Amazon, FedEx, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Operating a modern fleet of over 110 wide-body aircraft—primarily Boeing 747s, 767s, and 777s, most of which are dedicated freighters—Atlas Air serves more than 300 destinations across all continents. The airline handles approximately 8.9 million tonne-kilometers of freight annually, positioning it as a key player in the global air cargo market.

6. KOREAN AIR CARGO

Korean Air Cargo is the freight division of Korean Air, the national airline of South Korea, headquartered in Seoul with its main hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN). The carrier operates a fleet of 23 dedicated freighters, including Boeing 747-8Fs and 777Fs, and also utilizes the belly cargo space of more than 140 passenger aircraft.

Korean Air Cargo serves an extensive global network, reaching over 120 destinations worldwide, and handles approximately 8.4 million tonne-kilometers of freight annually, making it a significant player in the international air cargo market.

7. TURKISH CARGO

Turkish Cargo is the freight division of Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Turkey, headquartered in Istanbul. The airline operates a dedicated fleet of over 20 freighters—primarily Airbus A330Fs and Boeing 777Fs—and also utilizes the cargo capacity of more than 370 passenger aircraft from the Turkish Airlines fleet.

With a transport network covering over 340 destinations across more than 130 countries, Turkish Cargo serves as a major intercontinental cargo bridge. The carrier moves approximately 8.3 million tonne-kilometers of freight annually, cementing its position among the top global air cargo players.

8. CATHAY PACIFIC CARGO

Cathay Pacific Cargo is the freight division of Cathay Pacific Airways, the flag carrier of Hong Kong. The airline operates a dedicated freighter fleet of 20 aircraft, including 14 Boeing 747-8Fs and 6 Boeing 747-400ERFs, serving international cargo routes from Hong Kong—the world’s busiest air cargo hub.

Cathay Pacific Cargo’s network spans more than 80 destinations worldwide, with particular strength on the Asia–North America and Asia–Europe trade lanes. The airline handles around 8.1 million tonne-kilometers of freight annually, securing its place among the top global cargo carriers.

9. CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES

China Southern Cargo is the freight division of China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in China by fleet size. Headquartered in Guangzhou, the carrier operates major cargo hubs at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

Its dedicated freighter fleet includes Boeing 747Fs and 777Fs, complemented by over 600 passenger aircraft that support both domestic and international cargo operations. China Southern Cargo serves more than 130 international destinations, providing strong connectivity between China and major commercial centers in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. With an annual cargo volume of 7.6 million tonne-kilometers, the airline ranks among the world’s top 10 air freight carriers and plays a vital role in China’s logistics network.

10. CARGOLUX

Cargolux Airlines International S.A. is Europe’s largest all-cargo airline, headquartered in Luxembourg. The carrier operates a dedicated fleet of 30 wide-body freighters, including Boeing 747-400Fs and 747-8Fs, and is renowned for its expertise in handling heavy-duty cargo, hazardous materials, and temperature-sensitive shipments.

Cargolux serves more than 75 destinations worldwide, with a strong focus on transatlantic and intercontinental routes linking Europe, Asia, and the Americas. With an annual cargo volume of approximately 6.8 million tonne-kilometers, it stands as a key player in the global air freight industry.

ASL LOGISTICS - YOUR TRUE LOGISTICS PARTNER IN SEA FREIGHT

 

ASL Logistics exploits Air Freight service going or coming Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN), Da Nang airport (DAD) Noi Bai airport (HAN) coming or going to any airports of all over the world through the signed contracts such as Cathay Pacific (CX), China Airline (CI), Korea Airline (KE), China Southern (CZ), Lufthansa (LH)… the avegare volume is about 110 tons per month, the main routing to Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Newyork (JFK), Japan (KIX), Korea (ICN), Indonesia (CKG)

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In addition to international transportation services, ASL Logistics also offers other top-tier services such as Customs broker, Domestic trucking in Vietnam.

If you need air freight services, feel free to contact ASL Logistics!

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Related services: Sea FreightAir FreightConsolidation ServiceCustoms Broker ServiceDomestics Trucking4PL Logistics Supply Chain ManagementProject Cargoes HandlingMulti-modal TransportationWarehousing ServicesShipping and Logistics Services to The U.SISO Tank ServiceE-Commerce Services for B2B and B2CTrucking Cross Border to Cambodia, Laos.

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