Uncertainty surrounding US trade policies and geopolitical conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, will continue to affect air cargo this year, particularly in terms of rates; however, high-value products and e-commerce will drive growth in air freight.

Rubén Mascaraque, Corporate Airfreight Product Manager at TIBA , emphasized that the demand for high-value products—such as iPhone smartphones and sensitive goods (pharmaceuticals and perishables)—will continue to drive e-commerce, despite the contraction from China and the challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition to the growth of semiconductors , which are fundamental to artificial intelligence (AI), and developments in the automotive industry, during the webinar “Air Cargo Outlook 2026 ,” it was suggested that the impact on maritime transport will benefit air transport.

Leonel Ortiz, Vice President of Operations at Avianca Cargo , explained that air cargo has registered constant growth since 2024, while in 2025 it reached record levels.

He recalled that in January of this year, moderate growth was expected, driven by e-commerce , disruptions in maritime transport, nearshoring (relocation of production lines) and high-value perishables, where Latin America only handles 3% globally; however, the value is significant and “that makes it more attractive.”

He mentioned that, in the case of Colombia, the export of flowers, perishables and pharmaceuticals , and, in terms of imports, e-commerce, technology and consumer goods have made this country a key player in the air transport market.

“ E-commerce is changing the game. Recent growth has been close to 30%. Now there are more shipments, smaller and more frequent, which changes operations. We’ve gone from consolidation to a constant flow. E-commerce will continue to drive demand for air cargo in the coming years,” he said.

William Rojas, Director of Cargo and Platform at El Dorado Airport in Colombia, commented that as part of the supply chain and ecosystem, an integrated model is required, a public policy for the development of procedures and regulations that facilitate cargo handling.

“We know that there are risks associated with the logistics chain and this is what we would seek to anticipate, identify and map as ecosystems, although we do not disregard the good practices carried out in other airports such as the ONE Record initiative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for predictability,” he explained.

In 2025, El Dorado Airport handled 829,000 tons of cargo , a 2.4% year-on-year increase, primarily in the transport of flowers and perishable goods. It also has 24 cargo airlines operating in Bogotá.

Impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz

Rubén Mascaraque mentioned that the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has caused a loss of approximately 13% in air capacity, although in some weeks it has reached up to 18% , in addition to route changes that have increased operating costs. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted fuel supplies, cutting off 20% of the global supply.

 “ Fuel prices are rising, and this is something we will continue to see impacting fares in the coming weeks or months; congestion at other airports, we are not aware of it happening right now, but there will be a rebound effect in the coming weeks because there is a lot of demand from the Asian market to Europe, the United States and the Latin American market, which will bring more complications to an already strained supply chain,” he stated.

He noted that in 2025, global air cargo grew by 3.7% year-on-year , led by the Asia-Pacific region with an increase of 4.2%, while Latin America increased by 2.3%, with Peru and Panama driving this growth, in addition to Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, which hold 60% of the market share.

Meanwhile, the United States was one of the countries that fell, largely due to its tariff policies which, starting in April 2025, complicated e-commerce, also for the part of China that diverted cargo.

“There was sufficient capacity, but aircraft production isn’t progressing at the desired pace, resulting in a significant backlog of orders that represents almost 60% of the active fleet. This often means that airlines have had to ground aircraft for repairs, adjusting their fleets, and this has also negatively impacted capacity. It is expected that the situation will begin to normalize and that these pending aircraft will be delivered by the beginning of 2030,” Mascaraque stated.

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El cargo They predict that e-commerce and high-value products will boost global air cargo. apareció primero en T21.

Avianca Cargo is clear that Mexico is a strategic hub where it is making a series of investments in different segments with the goal of offering a more efficient and cost-effective service in the face of scenarios such as the United States’ tariff policy.

Diogo Elias, the company’s CEO, explained at a press conference that as an airline, they don’t make short-term plans. He noted that Avianca is about to celebrate 106 years of operations and 52 as a cargo carrier, 30 of which have been in Mexico.

“We’ve already gone through everything, including tariffs. It’s important to keep an eye on what’s going to happen, the consequences, what’s happening now, and we don’t make plans for one or two years. When a fleet is acquired, it’s for a plan of at least 10 years. We’ve already been through various crises, the pandemic being the biggest of all, a challenge for passengers, cargo, the entire industry, the economy, so we’re vigilant. Our market is industrial, so of course, tariffs can generate additional costs, but our way of thinking is to be an increasingly efficient company, with newer aircraft and better prices to offer customers depending on the current situation,” he said.

During the presentation of Avianca Cargo Mexico, he explained that the company has been working on the strategy for this new brand for two years , as well as on topics such as maintenance, operations, and business with suppliers, among others.

“Mexico is at the center of the strategy because it’s the second-largest market in Latin America, so we have to operate here, and there’s no better way to do it than with a great partner after a major transformation of the fleet, talent, operating methods, customer promises, and now with a renewed brand,” he mentioned.

It’s worth mentioning that last June, the then- AeroUnion announced it would operate under the name Avianca Cargo México, a change that seeks to strengthen global air cargo connectivity through a renewed fleet and allow it to serve markets such as pharmaceuticals and perishables, among others.

The cargo airline stated that it will maintain its own capital structure , operating permits, corporate governance, and technical, labor, administrative, and financial resources.

The collaboration between Avianca Cargo and now Avianca Cargo Mexico promotes the strengthening of the route network and the increase in capacity that will allow it to serve key sectors such as the technology, automotive, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries, among others.

Danilo Correa, CEO of Avianca Cargo Mexico, said that this new brand is the result of a joint effort through a commercial alliance that seeks to position it, but above all, to raise the standard of service and the promise of value for customers , through global connectivity that connects Mexico and the west coast of the United States with more than 350 destinations through alliances with other airlines.

As well as fleet renewal, which is the core of the strategy, and through a team of people who are “highly trained, skilled, experienced, and committed to delivering excellent, world-class service.”

Avianca Cargo currently has six A330 aircraft based in Colombia and two more in Mexico , while a seventh is expected to join the fleet by the end of September.

“The renewal of the fleet in Mexico has been the company’s biggest commitment in the country, a fleet that has greater load capacity, is more cost-efficient, and also brings a number of attributes that make it possible to transport special goods in cold conditions, oversized goods, etc., which makes the product superior,” Correa said.

He asserted that the country “has everything” and in terms of industry, trade, and economy, “we already know who the Latin American environment is. It’s a market we must be in, not out of obligation, but out of conviction.”

“Mexico is connected to the entire global economy, so the possibilities are endless. We feel ready and prepared to grow hand in hand with our clients and our strategic allies. Mexico is our strategic hub; we will increase our positioning and increase our cargo volume in the coming years,” he said.

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El cargo Mexico, a strategic hub for Avianca Cargo apareció primero en T21.

The Netherlands is the world’s leading flower producer, accounting for around 68% of total floral production, while Colombia is currently the world’s second-largest exporter of cut flowers.

The LATAM Group, through its cargo subsidiaries, transported more than 25,000 tons of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, a volume that represents a 4% increase compared to the same holiday last year.

“The strong results we achieved this Mother’s Day season are a clear testament to the trust our customers place in LATAM. Our commitment to the flower industry and to each and every one of them transcends peak demand periods,” said Claudio Torres Faini, Commercial Director for South America at LATAM Cargo Group.

The company significantly increased its cargo flight offering, increasing frequencies from Colombia and Ecuador by 48% for this celebration.

The Mother’s Day operation resulted in a logistical deployment of more than 430 takeoffs in just three weeks , of which 231 flights departed from Bogotá and Medellín, and 200 originated in Quito, connecting the flowers to key markets such as the United States and Europe.

Meanwhile, Avianca Cargo mentioned that this season closed with a new record , moving 20,100 tons of flowers transported from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States and Europe.

This, he explained, is an achievement that directly impacts the well-being of thousands of families, in an industry where 70% of formal jobs are held by women.

“Behind every flower is a team committed to a common purpose: to ensure that each flower arrives fresh, on time, and with the care that only a mother can understand. Thank you to our teams, partners, and customers for being part of this shared achievement, and to all the mothers who make it possible inside and outside our operations,” she said.

While the Maerks shipping company  indicated that while 93% of Colombia’s flower exports are transported by air, ensuring rapid delivery to meet the tight deadlines of this important holiday, 7% are shipped by sea.

Although he explained that although it is slower, maritime transport offers a significant advantage: it allows the transport of large volumes at carefully controlled temperatures.

For example, when flowers are transported from Colombia to the United States, the process begins with the harvest, then they are carefully packaged, pre-cooled, and loaded into temperature-controlled containers. They are shipped via the America Shuttle route from ports like Cartagena and Buenaventura to Miami, Jacksonville, and the Port of Hueneme. Upon arrival, shipments are inspected and transferred to cold storage facilities in cities like Charleston and Houston, maintaining optimal freshness. From there, they are distributed throughout the country through a temperature-controlled network.

“Behind every bouquet lies a complex and carefully timed logistics chain. The logistical challenge of keeping flowers fresh from the field to the florist is significant. Flowers, being highly perishable, require strict temperature control, specialized packaging, and precise transportation scheduling to maintain their freshness from the grower to the end customer,” he noted.

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El cargo Thousands of flowers fly to celebrate Mother’s Day apareció primero en T21.