Air freight has entered a new phase in 2024–2025—one defined by structural capacity challenges, shifting global trade patterns, and a renewed emphasis on reliability for time-critical supply chains. For global automotive and industrial manufacturers operating lean, synchronized production networks, these dynamics are reshaping how teams plan, secure, and deploy air capacity.
Two trends are particularly influential this year: a marked increase in cargo charter usage to support urgent or highly specialized supply-chain requirements, and the rapid evolution of expedited air solutions into more standardized, digitally enabled service models. Together, these trends signal a market moving toward faster, more controlled, and more predictable premium airfreight solutions.
Below, we take an in-depth look at these developments and what OEMs, suppliers, and industrial manufacturers should anticipate as we approach the end of 2025 and prepare for 2026.
1) Charter Flights Are Becoming a Strategic Supply-Chain Tool
Charter aircraft have always existed in air cargo, but traditionally as niche tools for oversized cargo, urgent disruptions, or humanitarian needs. In 2025, automotive and industrial supply chains are using them more frequently—and more strategically.
Manufacturers are turning to charters not only to recover from disruptions but to proactively secure lead times, stabilize production schedules, and mitigate the growing unpredictability of global capacity.
Short-notice charters serve as a strategic solution to:
- Cover line-down parts shortages
- Stabilize inbound flows from long-haul or capacity-constrained regions
- Bypass volatile passenger belly networks
- Support late-stage engineering changes or program launches
- Protect high-value product introduction or aftermarket timelines
The underlying drivers are structural. First, global freighter fleet renewal is lagging as new freighter programs are being delayed, and many large freighters are approaching retirement. Second, passenger schedules remain volatile in specific corridors, reducing belly capacity and making spot space unreliable. The combination raises the value of dedicated aircraft when timing matters.
The result: manufacturers are placing greater value on guaranteed uplift, predictable routing, and controlled timing—elements that charters provide better than any other mode.
2) Expedite Air Models Are Becoming More Standardized
Expedited air services are also undergoing meaningful transformation. What was once a reactive, phone-based, premium solution is maturing into a structured set of service options backed by technology, standardized SLAs, and real-time control.
New expedite models typically include:
- Tiered “speed-to-market” products (same-day, overnight, early-AM delivery, or guaranteed delivery windows)
- Digital quoting and instant booking tools for faster decision cycles
- End-to-end visibility dashboards with predictive ETAs, routing exceptions, and milestone tracking
- Pre-integrated customs, line-haul, and last-mile services
- Hybrid routing options that blend scheduled cargo flights with ad-hoc or partial charters to balance speed and cost
For automotive and industrial manufacturers operating in just-in-time environments, expedited air is becoming more predictable, repeatable, and easier to integrate into planning models. Many manufacturers now include a defined expedite allocation in their annual budget—reflecting their shift to an expected component of global supply-chain resilience.
3) Rate and Capacity Conditions Remain Highly Variable
Air cargo volumes grew only modestly in 2025, according to many analyses, with IATA projecting constrained year-over-year gains in several reports. While some sectors—electronics, automotive, and pharmaceuticals—are driving steady volumes, broader macroeconomic conditions remain mixed, contributing to uneven demand and persistent market-rate volatility.
Add to that the industry’s cost squeeze: airlines and cargo operators face higher maintenance and spare-parts costs, and fuel and older fleet inefficiencies are nontrivial. Such cost pressures make operators less tolerant of ultra-low long-term rates, which supports spot price resilience in constrained lanes. Reuters and IATA analyses have flagged billions in added industry costs tied to supply-chain strain in 2025—factors that ripple into cargo pricing and aircraft availability.
4) Who’s Buying Charters and Expedited Services (and Why)
Automotive and industrial manufacturers remain among the most active users of premium air freight due to the high cost of downtime and the value of production continuity. Typical use cases include:
- Component shortages that threaten assembly-line operations
- Capital equipment or tooling that must move quickly
- Launch-phase inventory requiring controlled timelines
- High-velocity aftermarket parts or warranty replacements
- Specialized cargo needing temperature control or secure handling
Other sectors contributing to the growth include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, semiconductors, and consumer electronics—all industries where speed directly affects revenue, compliance, or customer satisfaction.
5) Operational and Technology Enablers
A wave of digital platforms and integrated logistics ecosystems is reshaping charter and expedited air services. These tools enable:
- Faster charter sourcing, with marketplace-style matching between aircraft availability and shipper needs
- Predictive analytics, which allows for earlier escalation decisions before delays become disruptive
- Integrated booking and customs clearing services, which reduce the administrative overhead of ad-hoc moves
- “Charter as a service” with bundled ground handling, customs, and last-mile options.
For global manufacturers, these advancements reduce friction and shorten the time between identifying a supply-chain risk and securing uplift—an increasingly significant advantage in lean production environments.
6) Sustainability and Compliance Pressures Are Rising
Sustainability remains a sectoral challenge: charters and expedited moves are carbon-intensive per kilogram moved. As a result, premium air solutions will continue to face heightened scrutiny over emissions, fuel consumption, and overall carbon intensity, as corporate customers and regulators push for greater transparency. Operators that can offer emissions-adjusted charters or provide fuel-efficient routing and aircraft options will have a commercial edge with sustainability-minded customers.
Additionally, shifting regulatory frameworks, including changes to customs procedures, de minimis adjustments, and country-specific trade rules, are influencing how manufacturers plan their expedited freight strategies. Compliance readiness is becoming a core component of any premium air solution.
7) Outlook: What to Expect for Late 2025 and 2026
As we move into the final quarter of 2025 and look ahead to 2026, several market characteristics will shape airfreight strategies:
Late 2025
- Peak season demand—driven by e-commerce and inventory replenishment—will tighten capacity in select lanes.
- Ocean reliability concerns may trigger late-year mode shifts to air or partial charters.
- Many manufacturers will lean more heavily on expedited options to protect production during year-end volatility.
- Charter activity is likely to spike in corridors servicing North America, Europe, and central Asian manufacturing hubs.
2026
- Freighter capacity may remain tight if aircraft delivery delays persist, sustaining elevated demand for charters.
- Expedite models will become more standardized, with greater adoption of API integrations across shippers and suppliers.
- Rate volatility is likely to continue, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and production swings in key industrial sectors.
- Manufacturers will increasingly rely on hybrid air solutions and predictive visibility platforms to proactively manage risk.
Overall, 2026 is shaping up to be a year in which premium air solutions are not simply reactive tools but integrated components of a modern, resilient supply-chain strategy.
8) Practical Guidance for Global Manufacturing Supply Chains
To prepare for these conditions, automotive and industrial organizations should consider:
- Build a structured expedite strategy – Include clear escalation criteria, budget allocations, and approved service tiers.
- Explore charter frameworks in advance – Standing agreements or pre-cleared providers reduce activation time during emergencies.
- Strengthen predictive visibility – Earlier insight into delays allows better cost–speed decision-making.
- Evaluate hybrid models – Partial charters paired with scheduled service can reduce total landed cost while protecting transit times.
- Incorporate sustainability into procurement – Look for carriers offering SAF options and transparent emissions reporting.
Air freight is transitioning into a more strategic and technologically advanced component of global manufacturing supply chains. The increased use of charter aircraft, combined with the rapid evolution of structured expedite products, reflects a market where reliability, visibility, and speed are more critical than ever.
As automotive and industrial manufacturers prepare for late 2025 and the year ahead, those that modernize their approach—embracing digital tools, predictive visibility, and proactive charter or expedite planning—will be better positioned to maintain continuity, protect production, and stay competitive in an increasingly complex environment.
Within the ProTrans group of companies, TOC Logistics offers comprehensive logistics solutions both internationally and across North America. Our services include a dedicated Global Air & Expedites team—always ready, always available. Contact our team today for any air solutions you need.