Greenhouse gas emissions from air freight operators have increased by 25% since 2019, as companies have increased their capacity to attain for faster delivery times.
Research from a climate policy group found that the U.S. is responsible for 40% of the world’s air freight greenhouse gas emissions.
Just three operators also generated more than 27% of the industry’s carbon emissions globally in 2023, along with 50% of domestic air freight emissions in the U.S.
Demand for air freight also hasn’t slowed down so far in 2024, as shippers looking to avoid disruptions from the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea are forced to choose between a lengthy reroute by sea around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, or a different mode of transportation altogether.