Characterizing global air cargo: A study profiling air cargo operations worldwide

Global and local economic growth, international trade trends, logistics infrastructure, and air transport operational characteristics are some of the main drivers affecting the transport of goods by air. Since many of these factors differ among countries and regions, they might define how air cargo flows across different markets. This study explores the characteristics of air cargo operations and introduces a new methodology for categorizing them into individual air cargo logistics archetypes. Considering a set of economic, operational, and infrastructure features, we profile air cargo transport in three steps: 1) selecting and studying relevant variables affecting air cargo operations through regression analysis, 2) clustering together countries of similar relevant characteristics by testing several clustering techniques and studying their origin-destination flows, 3) defining individual air cargo logistics archetypes of unique characteristics. Our results include a set of ten unique archetypes for the air cargo industry. We detail each archetype's predominant characteristics, highlighting the importance of and difference between express and general cargo operating modes. We also position our results with practical implications for private, public, and regional stakeholders. • Global air cargo operations can be characterized into unique individual groups. • Air cargo flows differently across economies and regions globally. • Express delivery services and integrators remain the leading players in air cargo. • The USA, followed by China are the main actors in the air cargo industry.