TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD
Air transport is one of the most vital modes of global logistics. Although it accounts for only a small portion of total cargo volume, it plays a leading role in terms of the value of goods moved in international trade, thanks to its speed and ability to connect continents seamlessly.
The rapid growth of the air cargo industry has driven airlines to continuously expand their fleets and boost capacity to keep up with the rising demands of the global market.
Below is a list of the world’s top 10 cargo airlines, ranked by CTK (Cargo Tonne-Kilometers) — a metric that measures freight traffic by the number of tonnes of cargo transported multiplied by the distance flown. The rankings are based on data from the IATA Report 2023.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 1 FEDEX EXPRESS
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Fleet Size: Over 650 aircraft
Destinations: Over 375 destinations across more than 220 countries and territories
Annual Cargo Capacity: 17,923 million tonne-kilometers
FedEx Express is the world’s largest cargo airline, operating under the FedEx Corporation. The airline specializes in global express delivery services, particularly for high-value shipments that require strict delivery timelines. It is a key player in the international supply chain.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 2 QATAR AIRWAYS CARGO
Headquarters: Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Fleet Size: Over 30 freighters (Boeing 777Fs and Airbus A310Fs) and access to the belly space of more than 200 passenger aircraft
Destinations: Over 65 dedicated cargo destinations and more than 150 passenger destinations capable of carrying freight
Annual Cargo Capacity: 14.4 million tonne-kilometers
Qatar Airways Cargo operates one of the largest air cargo networks in the world, providing strong connectivity across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It is known for its premium service, speed, and exceptional reliability in the air logistics industry.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 3 UPS AIRLINES
Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Fleet Size: Over 290 aircraft
Destinations: More than 220 countries and territories worldwide
Annual Cargo Capacity: 14.2 million tonne-kilometers
UPS Airlines is the air cargo division of United Parcel Service (UPS), one of the world’s largest logistics companies. It is renowned for its precise, reliable, and fast delivery services that are integral to global supply chains.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 4 EMIRATES SKYCARGO
Headquarters: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai, UAE
Fleet Size: 11 Boeing 777F freighters and access to the cargo capacity of over 260 wide-body passenger aircraft
Destinations: More than 155 destinations across 80 countries
Annual Cargo Capacity: 10.6 million tonne-kilometers
Emirates SkyCargo operates a dedicated fleet and leverages the cargo capacity of Emirates’ main fleet. With its extensive global reach and significant cargo capacity, it ranks among the world’s leading air freight carriers.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 5 ATLAS AIR

Headquarters: Purchase, New York
Fleet Size: Over 110 wide-body aircraft (primarily Boeing 747s, 767s, and 777s)
Destinations: More than 300 destinations across all continents
Annual Cargo Capacity: 8.9 million tonne-kilometers
Atlas Air specializes in ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing, charter services, and contract operations for major clients such as DHL, Amazon, FedEx, and the U.S. Department of Defense. It is a key player in the global air cargo market.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 6 KOREAN AIR CARGO
Headquarters: Incheon International Airport (ICN), Seoul, South Korea
Fleet Size: 23 dedicated freighters (Boeing 747-8Fs and 777Fs) and access to the belly cargo space of more than 140 passenger aircraft
Destinations: Over 120 destinations worldwide
Annual Cargo Capacity: 8.4 million tonne-kilometers
Korean Air Cargo serves an extensive global network and handles a significant volume of international air cargo.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 7 TURKISH CARGO
Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
Fleet Size: Over 20 freighters (primarily Airbus A330Fs and Boeing 777Fs) and access to the cargo capacity of more than 370 passenger aircraft
Destinations: Over 340 destinations across more than 130 countries
Annual Cargo Capacity: 8.3 million tonne-kilometers
Turkish Cargo serves as a major intercontinental cargo bridge, moving a substantial volume of freight annually.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 8 CATHAY PACIFIC CARGO
Headquarters: Hong Kong
Fleet Size: 20 aircraft (14 Boeing 747-8Fs and 6 Boeing 747-400ERFs)
Destinations: More than 80 destinations worldwide
Annual Cargo Capacity: 8.1 million tonne-kilometers
Cathay Pacific Cargo operates from Hong Kong, the world’s busiest air cargo hub, and serves international cargo routes with a focus on the Asia–North America and Asia–Europe trade lanes.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 9 CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES
Headquarters: Guangzhou, China
Fleet Size: Boeing 747Fs and 777Fs, complemented by over 600 passenger aircraft
Destinations: More than 130 international destinations
Annual Cargo Capacity: 7.6 million tonne-kilometers
China Southern Cargo is a vital part of China’s logistics network, providing strong connectivity between China and major commercial centers in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
TOP 10 LARGEST AIRLINES IN THE WORLD – TOP 10 CARGOLUX
Headquarters: Luxembourg
Fleet Size: 30 wide-body freighters (Boeing 747-400Fs and 747-8Fs)
Destinations: More than 75 destinations worldwide
Annual Cargo Capacity: 6.8 million tonne-kilometers
Cargolux is Europe’s largest all-cargo airline, renowned for its expertise in handling heavy-duty cargo, hazardous materials, and temperature-sensitive shipments. It stands as a key player in the global air freight industry.
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