These Are The 5 Biggest Cargo Airlines Worldwide By Fleet Size (2024)

The cargo airline industry is extensive and diverse; this sector is dynamic but essential for transporting goods across continents. However, the global cargo airline industry is witnessing significant shifts due to economic conditions, changing demand patterns, and evolving market dynamics.

Key players like FedEx Express and UPS Airlines are adapting their strategies, focusing on cost efficiency and operational adjustments to navigate these challenges. This article explores the top five global cargo airlines, focusing on their fleet size and crucial contributions to the worldwide logistics and air freight sectors.

5 Atlas Air

Fleet size: 93

Atlas Air, Inc., based in Purchase, New York, is a cargo and passenger charter airline and aircraft lessor. It is part of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings and is the largest operator of Boeing 747s.

In November 2023, the airline, now under Apollo Global Management's ownership, ordered two new Boeing 777-200 freighters. This purchase, part of Atlas's expanding 777F fleet, was their first order post-acquisition.

Atlas Air has received three 777Fs since 2022 and awaits a fourth later in 2023, all previously arranged with Boeing. These new acquisitions are part of Atlas's strategy following their last 747 delivery, transitioning towards the 777F as Boeing and Airbus compete with new models.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

One year ago, Atlas Air received the final Boeing 747 (registered as N863GT) ever produced at Boeing's Everett plant, marking the end of the 54-year-old program. The aircraft took off from Everett's Paine Field and landed in Cincinnati.

Atlas Air has also teamed up with Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Embassy to deliver about 60 tons of essential goods and medicines to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria last year. The relief supplies were transported on an Atlas Air Boeing 747-8F from Washington Dulles International Airport.

4 ASL Aviation

Fleet size: 153

ASL Aviation Holdings, based in Dublin, Ireland, has become a key player in global air cargo transportation. With a focus on cargo services, it partners with significant parcel integrators, postal networks, and e-commerce giants. Over five decades, since 1970, the company has expanded strategically, emphasizing customer service.

It operates an extensive fleet of over 150 aircraft across Europe and Australia and associates in South Africa, Thailand, and India, meeting diverse global cargo needs.

Photo: ASL Aviation

In April 2023, ASL Aviation Holdings expanded its global presence by acquiring Australian ACMI and charter operator Pionair. This acquisition allowed ASL to enter the Australian and Pacific markets. Pionair initially retained its identity but eventually rebranded ASL Airlines Australia, joining other ASL group carriers like ASL Airlines Ireland, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.

Pionair, known for its passenger and cargo services in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, brings a fleet including the Embraer E190-E2 and Bae146/RJ aircraft to ASL's existing fleet. ASL's expansion into Australia and Oceania is seen as a strategic move to meet global customer needs. The company is also doing a Boeing 737-800BCF conversion program, enhancing its freight capabilities.

3 DHL Aviation

Fleet size: 213

DHL Aviation, a division of DHL, operates a diverse fleet that includes aircraft models like Airbus, ATR, and Boeing. The company offers a wide range of cargo transportation services, catering to different needs like transporting racehorses, cars, perishables, and hazardous materials. They emphasize sustainability, using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other eco-friendly practices.

DHL Express has introduced GoGreen Plus, a service enabling customers to lower carbon emissions from their shipments using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This initiative is part of DHL's goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Initially available in the UK and several other countries, GoGreen Plus allows customers to choose the amount of SAF used and tailor their CO2 reduction.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

Scaling up SAF is challenging due to high costs. Still, DHL's efforts, including purchasing over 211 million gallons of SAF and partnering with major airlines and fuel suppliers, demonstrate a significant move towards more sustainable aviation practices.

In October 2023, DHL Air Austria, part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, received its first Boeing 767-300ER freighter, marking a significant expansion of its fleet. The aircraft is notable for its fuel efficiency and operational flexibility, making it ideal for DHL Austria's plans to increase cargo capacity in Europe and potentially expand services to the United States.

2 UPS Airlines

Fleet size: 298

United Parcel Service (UPS) operates a diverse fleet, offering extensive cargo services domestically within the United States and internationally.

Last year, UPS Airlines added its 75th Boeing 767-300F freighter, registration N380UP, to its fleet, with plans to expand to 108 of this aircraft type. This new addition was delivered from Boeing's Everett line on June 28.

The Boeing 767 Freighter, known for its versatility and cargo capacity of up to 52.4 tons, is vital to UPS's fleet. Despite the slowing orders for 767 variants and Boeing's shift in focus, UPS continues to rely heavily on this model for its operations.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

UPS and FedEx Express are retiring their MD-11 fleets, marking the end of this iconic trijet's era in global skies. Both air cargo giants plan to phase out the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, which has been operational since January 10, 1990. Only three operators use the MD-11, predominantly the MD-11F freighter variant, including FedEx, UPS, and Western Global Airlines.

The MD-11F, the last MD-11 variant still in use, was notable for its cargo capacity and design, making it suitable for air freight operations. It could carry a maximum payload of 200,151 pounds and accommodate large pallets. Despite its efficiency in the freight sector, the aging and fuel-consuming MD-11s are being phased out for more modern and efficient aircraft.

1 FedEx Express

Fleet size: 490

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, is the largest cargo airline by fleet size, boasting a fleet of almost 500 aircraft. The most utilized aircraft in their fleet is the Boeing B767-300F, with 130 units in service. With 356 active aircraft, the airline plans to receive an additional 63 new planes.

Recent news indicates FedEx Express needs help with a substantial decline in parcel traffic. FedEx, facing decreased demand in the air freight sector, recently implemented measures to reduce costs by cutting minimum flight hours for pilots by 13% and offering early retirement incentives.

The US Postal Service is reducing its FedEx freight due to overstaffing, risking 200-300 pilot jobs. Facing a declining air freight market, FedEx seeks $50 million in labor cost cuts and anticipates over 400 pilot departures through early retirements and reduced flight hours.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Pilots, supported by the Air Line Pilots Association, demand better pay amid disputes over the extent of the industry's pilot shortage and issues with FedEx's aging aircraft fleet (average fleet age of about 26 years).

Last November, FedEx advised its overstaffed pilots to consider joining PSA Airlines, a regional carrier for American Airlines, due to low cargo demand and reduced flight operations. PSA's offer included a substantial signing bonus and a path to American Airlines.

However, some FedEx pilots viewed this move as unattractive, preferring opportunities at larger airlines. The initiative aimed to alleviate a regional captain shortage but faced skepticism from veteran pilots accustomed to better prospects at major airlines.​​​​​​

Honorable mentions are Amazon Prime Air (Fleet size: 90), Swiftair (Fleet size: 44), Qatar Airways Cargo (Fleet size: 30), Kalitta Air (Fleet size: 29), Cargolux (Fleet size: 29), Korean Air Cargo (Fleet size: 23), Turkish Airlines Cargo (Fleet size: 22), China Airlines Cargo (Fleet size: 20), Cathay Pacific Cargo (Fleet size: 20), Lufthansa Cargo (Fleet size: 15), Singapore Airlines Cargo (Fleet size: 14), Emirates Cargo (Fleet size: 14), China Southern Airlines Cargo (Fleet size: 12), Asiana Airlines Cargo (Fleet size: 11), ANA Cargo (Fleet size: 11), and EVA Air Cargo (Fleet size: 8).

The cargo airline industry continues to evolve amidst shifting economic conditions, technological advancements, and global needs. The cargo airline's strategies and fleet decisions will likely set the tone for the future of air freight and international logistics.

Do you think the cargo airline industry will gradually transition to drones, causing "traditional" air carriers to lose ground? Let us know in the comments.

Data source: ch-aviation (information provided here is current as of January 2024)