Freighter Aircraft Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Capacity Type (Narrow body, Wide body, and Regional Aircraft), By Aircraft Type (OEM Configured and Passenger to Freighter converted), By Engine Type (Turboprop and Turbofan), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global freighter aircraft market is witnessing robust expansion due to the rising demand for air cargo services and the need for efficient global logistics. A freighter aircraft is an aeroplane specifically designed to transport cargo or freight. These aircraft are different from regular passenger aircraft as they do not have any seats or amenities for passengers. Instead, the interior of a freighter aircraft is modified so that maximum space can be utilized to accommodate cargo. Unlike passenger aircraft, freighter aircraft have large doors for easy loading and unloading freight, reinforced floors and tie-downs to keep cargo in place during flight. Air cargo is preferred for transporting a wide range of goods, including raw materials, perishable goods, vehicles, heavy equipment and other high-value goods. Air cargo is generally used for time-sensitive transportation applications. Logistic companies, cargo airlines and military forces typically use freighter aircraft.

Freighter aircraft are critical for the airline industry, and their demand is expected to increase. The primary drivers for the freighter aircraft market are the increasing demand for e-commerce, fast and reliable delivery of goods, reduced challenges of the global supply chain, and growth of the worldwide air cargo industry. In recent years the increase in the conversion of old passenger aircraft into freighters is addressing the growing demand for air freighters for air cargo transportation. This modification makes a regular passenger aircraft carry much greater weight.

Advancements in aircraft manufacturing and technology have led to more efficient and capable freighter aircraft development. Newer freighter aircraft models are designed with enhanced cargo facilities, longer-range capabilities, and improved fuel efficiency, making them more attractive to freighters operators in terms of cost savings and operational efficiency.

Other air freight market drivers include fast and safe transportation of valuable goods like medical equipment. These air freighter applications were seen especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when air cargo was used for life-saving purposes.

Some restraining factors for the freighter aircraft market are that freighter aircraft are more expensive than passenger aircraft due to specialized design and require high maintenance costs because of the constant loading and unloading of cargo. The number of emissions from freighter aircraft is much greater than from regular passenger aircraft. Increases in fuel costs, trade disputes and geopolitical instability can also limit the routes for air cargo movement.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Freighter Aircraft Industry

COVID-19 brought most airline operations to a halt. Lockdown restrictions and travel bans significantly reduced passenger flights, resulting in cargo capacity shortages. The increased demand for air cargo transportation and, subsequently, freighter aircraft. The lack of cargo capacity caused air cargo rates to grow significantly, which led to increased demand for dedicated freighter aircraft. The global trade revamped, which was reduced considerably because of global supply chain disruptions, and increased more than pre-pandemic levels due to which demand for freighter aircraft also increased.

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• The report analyzes a detailed freighter aircraft industry overview, including qualitative and quantitative information.


• It analyzes an overview and forecast of the global freighter aircraft market based on various segments.


• The report also analyzes comprehensive PEST analysis for all five regions, i.e. North America, Europe, APAC, rest of the world, after evaluating economic, economic, political and technological factors affecting the impact of the space insurance market in these regions.

Regional Analysis

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North America is anticipated to dominate the freighter aircraft market with significant growth during the forecast period due to the presence of the world's largest fleet of freighter aircraft. The region’s dominance in the market is also because of the largest cargo movement globally.

Asia Pacific region is expected to have a significantly large growth rate in the freighter market during the forecast period, followed by Europe. The growth in Asia Pacific is driven by the increasing demand for air cargo transportation from countries like India and China. The increase in growth in the Asia Pacific region is majorly due to the rising manufacturing capability in the South Asian region.

Key Players Covered

• Boeing


• Airbus


• Embraer


• Bombardier


• Lockheed Martin


• Antonov


• Ilyushin

Freighter Aircraft Market Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In November 2022, UAE-based long-hauled carrier Emirates brought 5 Boeing 777 freighter aircraft to expand its fleet capacity. The deal was worth 1.7 billion USD. After this deal, the number of orders will increase to 200 widebody aircraft. Emirates entered this deal to cater to the increase in freight demand and aviation sector growth.


• In April 2023, The Indonesian carrier, RuskyAero, will acquire two freighter 737-800BCF from AerCap and operate them as Raindo United Services. Raindo is a new customer of AerCap. Raindo believes that this step will help the Indonesian MSME industry.


• In March 2023, According to Boeing India, more than 1700 passenger aircraft are to be converted to freighter aircraft. This step is taken to address the increasing cargo demand in the country because of rapidly increasing manufacturing capabilities.