Air cargo remains a priority for the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which says the sector is crucial for economic growth and market access.

As a facilitator of commerce, air freight enables businesses to reach international markets quickly and cost effectively.

ICAO noted that demand for air cargo is driven by economic development, globalization and crisis response. These factors reinforce each other, creating a cycle that sustains the industry.

Austria and Mexico illustrate the role of air freight in different economies. In 2023, air cargo represented 27 per cent of Austria's trade by value but only one per cent by tonnage. In Mexico, it accounted for nine per cent of trade by value but just 0.1 per cent by weight.

ICAO said such figures highlight the high-value nature of goods moved by air, often critical to manufacturing and business-to-business supply chains. The agency cited data showing that one-third of world trade by value, worth US$8 trillion in 2023, was transported by air.

ICAO added that air cargo proved vital during the post-Covid recovery, supporting e-commerce and delivering medical supplies and humanitarian aid. The organisation said flexibility in moving goods of any size between global markets underpins economic development.

ICAO urged member states to recognise the distinct features of air cargo when negotiating air service agreements. It called for granting appropriate rights and operational flexibility to promote further development of the sector.