Top 10: Air Freight Companies

Logistics does not only take place across seas and over land, but in the air too.

As specialised items require timely delivery – particularly from one country to another – air freight companies have proven to be a vital part of the network.

Whether air freight companies are transporting perishable food items, transporting animals or navigating the safe delivery of valuable artifacts, they have developed thorough solutions to ensure the products get to where they need to be, in a safe and timely manner.

Supply Chain Digital explores the leading air freight companies which are navigating the skies to keep the network running smoothly.

10. China Airlines Cargo

Location: Taiwan
Employees: 800
President: Chen Han-Ming
Founded: 1998

China Airlines has an operation of 175 destinations across 30 countries, across both its passenger and cargo networks. Out of its 82 aircraft fleet, 18 are freighters. 

The company has specialised transportation services across a range of goods, including live animals, cool chains and dangerous goods. Through its cool chain operation, it utilises wireless GPS sensors and has a range of temperature-controlled storage information stations throughout its services in the US, Europe and Asia.

9. Cargolux Airlines

Cargolux has utilised its expertise in transporting traditional cargo on purpose-built freighter aircrafts for more than 50 years. It has experience in all types of products, with a speciality in outsized, heavy and specialist project cargo. 

It applies strict procedures throughout its transport process in order to transport household goods, medical equipment, aircraft parts and more. Cargolux also utilises 3D simulation programmes for loading options when needed, helping putting minds at ease for best practice.

8. Cathay Cargo

Location: Hong Kong SAR, China
Employees: ~30,000 (Cathay Group)
CEO: Ronald Lam
Founded: 1946

Cathay Cargo boasts of its suite of specialised shipment solutions for time-demanding, temperature-specific and sensitive shipment needs. It operates 20 Boeing 747 freighters: six 747-400ERFs and 14 747-8Fs. With these, it services more than 40 destinations around the world. 

It offers a range of solutions,with customers able to choose the best option for them, offering 24/7 live chat and eTracking services, putting customer minds at ease. It is best for high-tech, pharma and e-commerce.

7. Korean Air Cargo

Location: South Korea
Employees: 20,000
Chairman & CEO: Cho Won-Tae
Founded: 1971

Korean Air Cargo offers customised services which are tailored specifically to fit the customer’s logistics pattern. Utilising information from the production, storage and distribution cycle, it identifies the areas of management that need support. 

It offers seven sub-brands of specialised solutions, guaranteeing reliable handling. It is best suited for trans‑Pacific flows of semiconductors, electronics and automotive parts between Korea, North America and Europe.

The company also has three categories for fresh produce transportation, including that which utilises automatic temperature control.

6. Turkish Cargo

Location: Türkiye
Employees: ~1,500
Chief Cargo Officer: Ali Türk
Founded: 1933

Turkish Cargo transports thousands of shipments across the world every day, reaching more than 360 destinations. It uses an automated storage and retrieval system to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum error as it transports goods. 

Turkish Cargo offers three different speeds in its delivery options, including ‘TK Urgent’ which delivers last-minute and critical shipments, with no restriction for weight and volume. 

As well as live animals, fresh food and technology, Turkish Cargo also moves e-commerce products with minimum connection times.

5. Atlas Air

Location: USA
Employees: ~5,000
CEO: Michael Steen
Founded: 1992

Atlas Air serves a diverse customer base within the global supply chain, reaching more than 300 destinations across 90 countries. It offers reliable cargo and passenger transport, with customised solutions for e-commerce, helping reduce delivery times, and flexible options for transporting machinery. 

It offers ACMI, CMI Ad-hoc and Program Charters, working to deliver the most efficient route needed. It also maintained 24-hour global support, including systems operation and dispatch, IT support, parts support and more.

4. DHL Aviation

Location: Germany
Employees: 111,000+
CEO: John Pearson
Founded: 1969

DHL Aviation, operating under DHL Express, makes use of DHL’s global network of airports and relies on more than 300 different sized jets. Through this, the branch can ship to and from more than 220 territories around the world.

The company has strong capabilities of transporting materials across pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, luxury cars and more. 

DHL Aviation uses its GoGreen Plus offering to help customers reduce their CO2 emissions by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

3. Emirates SkyCargo

Location: UAE
Employees: 1K-5K
CEO: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Founded: 1985

SkyCargo plays a major role in global supply chains, connecting more than 300 destinations, 80 countries and six continents. 

SkyCargo has a selection of solutions dedicated to animal transportation. Its solutions are tailored to the species, combining customised equipment and temperature-controlled ventilated aircraft holds. It has dedicated services for marine life and corals, as well as birds, horses, day-old chicks and more. When transporting medical products, it has a certified pharma network which is strategically positioned to transport goods safely and efficiently

2. UPS Airlines

Location: USA
Employees: ~26,000
CEO: Bill Moore
Founded: 1988

UPS utilises a comprehensive hub-and-spoke network, with access to key transportation centres across the US. 

All aircrafts in the UPS fleet meet strict noise-reduction standards, one of the first major airlines in North America to meet compliance. It applies five types of aircraft to its fleet, suited to a variety of cargo needs. Using more than 500 aircrafts, it serves more than 220 territories. 

Its services span priority, reserved, dangerous goods and aircraft charter, utilising a range of containers and pallet types. 

UPS Worldport is the world’s largest express air cargo hub, working to keep supply chains moving at all times. 

The airline is best for shippers who need integrated express, freight and contract logistics services within a singular network, particularly for B2B and healthcare.

1. FedEx Express

Location: USA
Employees: 278,000+
CEO: Raj Subramaniam
Founded: 1971

With FedEx, it offers online tools to ensure customers choose the right service for them and understand costs. It takes customers through customs documents, all-in rates and guaranteed transit times, as well as last-minute discounts. 

It offers a range of freight services, dedicated to arrival deadlines and locations. 

The company handles more than 2,200 different types of dangerous goods in 90+ countries around the world, making it adept at safely managing transportation. It also has dedicated packaging and labelling solutions for fragile and high-value goods, ensuring that each item is moved with care.

FedEx offers industry-specific solutions, helping business leaders grow to scale or save costs with its logistics capabilities. It can cover e-commerce, aerospace logistics, luxury goods, automotive, healthcare and more.