Dubai: Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), affirmed that the global air cargo sector is on track to achieve sustainable growth in 2025, despite ongoing challenges and uncertainty clouding the global economic outlook.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sullivan shared these insights while speaking on the sidelines of the World Cargo Symposium 2025, which began today in Dubai. He stated that current projections indicate global air cargo growth of 5.5 percent in 2025, a figure surpassing the anticipated growth of the global GDP.
Sullivan noted that this positive outlook follows a strong performance in 2024, during which air cargo carriers capitalized on improved global demand. He added that this momentum is expected to continue into the coming year, even amid economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Regarding the Middle East, Sullivan highlighted that the region, particularly the UAE, is well positioned to align with global growth trends due to its advanced infrastructure and focus on expanding its logistics capabilities. He emphasized that Emirates SkyCargo's reports confirm the region's high connectivity and significant investments in infrastructure and customer-centric solutions.
Sullivan also pointed out the region's promising potential to expand its market share in specialized cargo sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and perishables. These sectors are expected to rely heavily on air transport and experience marked growth in the coming years.
Commenting on the potential impact of delayed new aircraft deliveries on the air cargo sector, Sullivan explained that such delays primarily affect future expansion plans and operational efficiency, especially concerning fuel consumption. He noted that while the current fleet continues to operate at full capacity, it is aging, with the greatest impact seen in efficiency rather than the volume of daily cargo operations.