Freight Air Transport in France - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Freight Air Transport in France industry analysis

France’s air freight transport industry has displayed significant volatility in recent years, with the pandemic and subsequent disruption to global economies and supply chains leading to major fluctuations in demand and revenue. Despite fluctuating volumes, air freight transport has held onto its importance, particularly in the fast-growing e-commerce sector where speed and reliability are critical.
Revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 0.6% over the five years through 2025 to reach €3.1 billion. Air freight volumes nosedived during the pandemic, as reduced global economic activity was exacerbated by the impact of a slump in air freight capacity among French operators, mainly caused by the suspension of passenger flights, which cut belly cargo capacity. Despite this, revenue recorded growth in 2020, as capacity constraints caused a jump in air freight rates. The following year saw a rebound in air freight volumes, as downstream businesses called on air freight operators to rapidly re-stock inventories and for other high-value goods that required time-sensitive transport, like essential medical supplies and e-commerce goods. Along with soaring air freight rates, this caused a surge in revenue during the year. Revenue continued to rise in 2022, as air freight rates remained elevated, albeit despite falling from exceptional highs recorded in late-2021. A normalisation in global air freight markets has since caused revenue to come down, while volumes have also been constrained by weak domestic and global economic activity. Revenue is set to climb by 4.8% in 2025, thanks to an anticipated uptick in international trade volumes.
Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3% over the five years through 2030, reaching €3.6 billion. More stable economic conditions are expected to bolster air freight volumes, especially on Asia-Europe routes which are boosted by strong e-commerce demand. Air freight operators are set to be challenged by efforts made to decarbonise the transport sector, with downstream businesses and the French government likely to favour less emissive transport modes where possible. Investment in sustainable technologies, particularly sustainable aviation fuels, will be critical to ensuring ongoing growth and maintaining competitiveness against maritime freight.

Trends and Insights

• Freight air transport maintains its efficiency despite economic challenges. Companies have stayed resilient in the face of recent trade disruptions and revenue continues to grow.
• Global demand drives revenue growth. Segments serving international and EU trade exhibit consistent shares, ensuring stable or growing revenues. Domestic services and specialized logistics cater to specific demands, ensuring industry resilience.
• The presences of a few major players stabilises the market. A few big-name cargo companies hold reasonably large market shares, but their power over the market limits healthy competition.