• Pacific Rim cargo airports are central to global trade, handling high-value and time-sensitive goods. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Incheon, Narita, LAX, and Anchorage anchor regional flows and demonstrate resilience amid shifting trade dynamics, shaping the evolution of air cargo over the next decade.
• Hong Kong International handled 4.94 million tonnes of freight in 2024 and is expanding cargo stands and cold-chain facilities to support electronics, perishables, and express e-commerce. Shanghai Pudong processed 3.78 million tonnes, benefiting from China’s export growth, Belt and Road logistics investments, and expanded express networks. Incheon handled 2.95 million tonnes, supported by automated facilities and cold-chain infrastructure, while Narita processed 2.1 million tonnes, focusing on high-value exports and logistics efficiency.
• LAX moved 2.9 million tonnes, linking Asia-Pacific production to North America and investing in digital corridors and multimodal connections. Anchorage handled 3.7 million tonnes, leveraging its mid-Pacific location, 24/7 operations, and space for oversized or specialised cargo. The region is projected to grow air cargo volumes at 4.3 percent annually through 2028, driven by manufacturing, e-commerce, and supply chain expansion.

The Pacific Rim’s cargo airports are lynchpins of global trade, especially for high-value and urgent goods. Hong Kong and Shanghai lead in sheer volume, with Incheon and Narita solidly anchoring Northeast Asian flows. LAX and Anchorage sustain critical trans-Pacific connections. All six hubs demonstrate resilience and adaptability in the face of shifting global trade dynamics, and their development trajectories will be defining factors in how air cargo evolves over the next decade. 

Within the Pacific Rim — defined here as East Asia, Northeast Asia and adjacent North American gateways — a handful of airports dominate global freight movements, reflecting the region’s manufacturing prowess and e-commerce dynamism. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, the top cargo hubs collectively handled more than half of global air freight volumes in 2024, with strong momentum into 2025 and continued growth anticipated to 2028 and beyond, driven by electronics exports, manufacturing supply chains and expanding cross-border e-commerce demand.  

This article examines the six largest Pacific Rim cargo airports — Hong Kong International (HKG), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Incheon (ICN), Tokyo Narita (NRT), Los Angeles (LAX) and Anchorage (ANC) — providing recent historical context, current performance and forward prospects.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Hong Kong 

Hong Kong International Airport consistently ranks as the world’s busiest cargo airport, a position it reclaimed firmly in 2024 with approximately 4.94 million tonnes of freight handled. 

Historical cargo traffic (last five years):

• 2019: 4.80m tonnes

• 2020: 4.47m tonnes

• 2021: 5.03m tonnes

• 2022: 4.20m tonnes

• 2023: 4.33m tonnes

• 2024: 4.94m tonnes  

These figures reflect the pandemic’s disruption in 2020–21, with a strong recovery thereafter. Hong Kong’s cargo volumes now exceed pre-COVID levels, underpinned by its strategic location at the heart of the Pearl River Delta and deep integration with Mainland China’s manufacturing supply chains.

HKG’s cargo forecasts are robust. The airport is expanding capacity, including increased cargo stands and improved cold-chain facilities and anticipates further gains from rising demand in perishables, pharmaceuticals and express e-commerce logistics. ACI Asia-Pacific projects air cargo in the region to grow at a 4.3 % CAGR through 2028, with HKG uniquely positioned to benefit given its infrastructure and connectivity.  

Key strategic points are expansive integration with Greater Bay Area logistics networks; High-value export goods (electronics, semiconductors, perishables) dominate freight; Continued investments in automation and temperature-controlled handling.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China 

Shanghai Pudong ranks among the fastest-growing Pacific Rim cargo hubs, with roughly 3.78 million tonnes of freight in 2024, placing it second in the global rankings among Pacific Rim airports. While detailed annual tonnage by year for the last five years is less readily published in public sources, ACI and industry summaries indicate steady increases from the mid-3 million-tonne band in earlier years to the current level. Growth reflects Shanghai’s manufacturing exports, especially industrial and consumer electronics. 

China’s export base — and shifts in supply chain strategies — suggest PVG will maintain cargo growth. Continued expansion of express networks (FedEx, SF Express and Chinese carriers) and integration with the Yangtze River Delta manufacturing belt are crucial drivers. Key considerations: Ties to China’s Belt and Road Initiative logistics investments; Strong demand for outbound electronics, machinery and garments. Expansion of cargo facilities and runway/terminal capacity.

Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea 

Incheon International Airport has solidified its place as a key Pacific Rim cargo hub. In 2024 it handled approximately 2.95 million tonnes of cargo — a strong result that reflects both export demand and its role as a regional trans-shipment point.  Steady tonnage growth from the late 2010s into the early 2020s, with a small pandemic-related dip in some years but robust recovery thereafter. 

ICN’s cargo facilities are among the most advanced globally, including automated sorting and extensive cold-chain capability.  

Incheon’s forecast is upbeat, driven by continued demand for high-value Korean exports such as semiconductors, automotive parts and e-commerce shipments. Expansion works are expected to further increase cargo throughput capacity. Digitalisation of freight processes is another growth enabler.

Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT), Japan 

Narita Airport is Japan’s premier air cargo gateway, handling around 2.1 million tonnes of cargo in recent global rankings. Narita’s cargo traffic has been resilient, with volumes focused on precision equipment, automotive parts and electronics for export. Though generally lower than the mega-hubs like HKG and PVG, NRT remains vital as Japan’s logistics backbone. 

Japan’s high-technology export base and diversification of Asian supply chains support steady cargo demand. Future growth prospects also hinge on improving air logistics linkages with Southeast Asia and North America, and adopting digital customs procedures.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), USA 

While not geographically in East Asia, Los Angeles International Airport is one of the Pacific Rim’s most critical gateways, linking Asia-Pacific production centres to North American markets. LAX handled around 2.9 million tonnes of cargo in 2024. LAX has experienced consistent cargo traffic increases over the past decade, driven by retail imports, skin-to-skin express freight and perishables traffic. Pandemic–post-pandemic adjustments saw fluctuations, but volumes remain ahead of most global airports outside Asia. 

Growth at LAX is linked closely to North American consumption and Pacific trade lanes. Investments in cargo infrastructure, digital logistics corridors and multimodal connections (rail, road) will influence future throughput.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), USA 

Anchorage does not serve a major local population but remains one of the world’s busiest cargo airports due to its strategic mid-point location on Asia–North America routes. In 2024 it handled about 3.7 million tonnes, comparable with other top hubs. ANC’s historical role as a fuel and crew stop for trans-pacific flights has evolved into full freight staging and handling capacity. Its cargo activity was more resilient during pandemic-related travel downturns than some passenger-centric hubs. 

As direct long-haul flights become more common, ANC’s intermediate role may shift, but its abundant space, 24/7 operations and lower congestion make it attractive for certain categories of freight, especially oversized cargo and specialised consignments.

Looking ahead 

Regional cargo forecasts and strategic imperatives show air cargo volumes globally are expected to grow modestly through the rest of the decade, with a projected 3.3% CAGR from 2023 to 2042, according to ACI World forecasts, though growth will vary regionally and by commodity type. In the Asia-Pacific region, projections from ACI Asia-Pacific anticipate 4.3 % annual growth through 2028, underpinned by the region’s manufacturing base and expanding e-commerce logistics requirements.