Air Transportation of Freight in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Beijing, China
Last Updated: May 2024
5512Revenue
$13.5bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
147k
Businesses
57
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Air Transportation of Freight in China industry analysis
The Air Transportation of Freight industry is expected to increase at an annualized 3.3% over the five years through 2023, to total $13.5 billion. This trend includes a 11.3% boom in the current year. Over the same period, the volume of freight moved is expected to increase from 7.4 million tons in 2018 to an estimated 8.5 million tons in 2023, reflecting annualized growth of 2.9%. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the volume of freight completed in the whole industry totaled 6.8 million tons, down by 10.2% from 2019. During 2021 to 2022, with the improvement of the domestic epidemic prevention and control situation and the further recovery of the economy, the air freight transportation industry had gradually recovered, and basically returned to pre-pandemic level in 2019.In 2023, industry profitability is estimated at 4.0% of revenue. The profitability of industry services varies by route and direction (i.e., inbound or outbound). Over the past five years, movements in demand and fuel prices have squeezed industry profit margins. However, profit is forecast to grow in future years as Chinese airlines become more efficient and achieve economies of scale.In the past, most air cargo was transported on domestic and international scheduled passenger flights. Domestic and international passenger airlines carried freight to maximize the utilization of aircraft space and increase revenue. However, with increased demand for air freight transportation, domestic airlines and courier companies have begun purchasing aircrafts for all-cargo transport, especially air express and parcel delivery.Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualized 6.2% over the five years through 2028, to reach $18.1 billion by 2028. Growth will gradually stabilize as air cargo traffic volumes steadily increase. The establishment of improved air logistics systems will support the development of the industry. In addition, the industry will spread to middle and western China.
Trends and Insights
- Revenue of Air Transportation of Freight in China is expected to increase in 2023. With the improvement of the domestic epidemic prevention and control situation and the further recovery of the economy, the air freight transportation business had gradually recovered.
- Most air cargo was transported on domestic and international scheduled passenger flights in the past. Domestic and international passenger airlines carried freight to maximize the utilization of aircraft space and increase revenue.
- Cargo transportation volumes by air vary considerably from region to region. The industry's geographic distribution largely reflects economic development levels, route networks, downstream industry development, and competition from local road and railway transport industries.
- The Air Transportation of Freight industry exhibits medium levels of competition. The intensity of competition is often strongly related to competition in flight capacity for air passenger travel, especially on international routes.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $13.5bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Concentration level in this industry is high
- Air transportation in China is currently highly concentrated. The industry's four largest enterprises, China Southern Airlines, S.F. Express, Air China and China Eastern Airlines, jointly account for an estimated 87.6% of industry revenue in 2023.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Cross-border ecommerce drives the further development of Air Transportation of Freight in China
- The international speed of cross-border ecommerce is the main source of Air Transportation of Freight in China.
Biggest companies in the Air Transportation of Freight in China
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($short_0)
2023 |
|---|
There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Air Transportation of Freight in China industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.
Products & Services Segmentation
Air Transportation of Freight in China
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Domestic mainline freight air transportation , International freight air transportation and Domestic regional freight air transportation. Domestic mainline freight air transportation is the largest segment of the Air Transportation of Freight in China.
Trends and Insights
The demand for domestic mainline freight air transportation has been increasing
- Domestic mainline freight air transportation refers to the passenger and cargo transportation completed across the provincial air transportation lines. In addition, passenger and cargo transportation on the air line between domestic megacities is domestic mainline freight air transportation as well.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Freight Rail Transport in China
- Freight Trucking in China
Complementors
- Airlines in China
- International Express Service in China
International industries
- Global Cargo Airlines
- International Airlines in the US
- Domestic Airlines in the US
- Charter Flights in the US
- Freight Air Transport in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Air Transportation of Freight industry in China operates aircraft for the international and domestic transportation of freight.
What's included in this industry?
International freight air transportation Domestic mainline freight air transportation Domestic regional freight air transportationCompanies
Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BULK FREIGHTCHINA POSTLOAD FACTORPerformance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Revenue of Air Transportation of Freight in China is expected to increase in 2023. With the improvement of the domestic epidemic prevention and control situation and the furt...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Most air cargo was transported on domestic and international scheduled passenger flights in the past. Domestic and international passenger airlines carried freight to maximiz...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Cargo transportation volumes by air vary considerably from region to region. The industry's geographic distribution largely reflects economic development levels, route networ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The Air Transportation of Freight industry exhibits medium levels of competition. The intensity of competition is often strongly related to competition in flight capacity for...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Industry leaders focus on economy of scale. Leading enterprises have actively expanded their airline network, and wider distribution of network help the enterprises to stand ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
Detailed analysis
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
After China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the government has sought to assist domestic players competing against international players. Over the past five year...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Aviation is one of the most fuel-intensive forms of transport. Purchases of jet fuel comprise a large part of industry costs.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in China include:
- National Bureau of Statistics China
- General Administration of Customs
- People’s Bank of China
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China in 2024?
The market size of the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China is $13.5bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Air Transportation of Freight in China industry in 2024?
There are 57 businesses in the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 3.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China is expected to grow.
What does the Air Transportation of Freight in China include?
International freight air transportation and Domestic mainline freight air transportation are part of the Air Transportation of Freight industry.
How competitive is the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Air Transportation of Freight industry in China.
