The global economy entered 2025 with persistent inflation, volatile fuel prices, and geopolitical friction weighing heavily on trade. For the airfreight industry, the Americas are both absorbing these shocks and shaping industry adaptation.
IATA forecasts global air cargo demand will reach 80 million tonnes in 2025, representing 5.8 percent growth, while North American carriers saw 6.6 percent year-on-year (YoY)demand growth in 2024, though capacity increased only 3.4 percent. Meanwhile, Latin American carriers achieved 12.6 percent (YoY) demand growth, outpacing surrounding regions despite economic turbulence.
Carriers face escalating costs as fuel and labour fluctuate. US operators recalibrate bellyhold capacity and freighter deployment, confronting yields that remain 39 percent higher than 2019 levels. Latin American airlines battle thinner margins in competitive perishables and pharma markets. Infrastructure bottlenecks, from customs delays in emerging hubs to congestion at established gateways, only add pressure.
Yet the Americas aren’t just reacting, they’re actively redirecting global flows. Nearshoring is expected to add three percent to Mexico’s GDP over the next five years. Mexico’s airfreight sector, valued at US$3.83 billion in 2024, is projected to reach US$6.39 billion by 2033. Colombia’s flower exports, Brazil’s e-commerce surge, and Chile’s seafood industry reshape corridors into North America and Europe.
e-commerce accounts for over 50 percent of air cargo volumes out of Asia, with much flowing through American gateways. Miami, Dallas–Fort Worth, Bogotá, and São Paulo gain prominence as strategic nodes, while dynamic load factors hit 62 percent as capacity growth lags demand.
This recalibration positions the Americas as central to an industry under pressure. Airports expand cold chain facilities, carriers invest in digital visibility tools, and governments promote trade agreements loosening up supply chains. The message rings clear: while global turbulence creates challenges, the Americas are accelerating the shift toward a more resilient cargo network.
