Airfreight is a high-growth sector, playing a crucial role in moving high-value, time-sensitive goods and delivering £392m in trade in 2025.
However, disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East this year have significantly affected worldwide trade and efficiency, as highlighted by Logistics UK’s Logistics Report 2026.
The Logistics Report is Logistics UK’s annual analysis of the industry, sharing timely insights into the state of the logistics sector. This year it shows how airfreight has been especially susceptible to geopolitical pressures, with conflicts and tariffs affecting the trade of metals, vehicles, consumer goods and other commodities.
This has been compounded by issues in the network, including worsening capacity constraints, cargo space availability and lacking infrastructure, which must be urgently addressed to bolster resilience in the supply chain and enable airfreight to deliver growth.
Vital airfreight region
The Middle East is a vital region in the international airfreight network as a major hub for long-haul flights, accounting for 13.2% of the world’s air cargo in January 2026. But since the start of the conflict, there have been major disruptions with wide-reaching implications.
Disruptions caused by the cancellations of flights have resulted in limited route options and increased volatility in the cost of transporting goods via cargo planes and bellyhold.
This has impacted just-in-time logistics operations, with perishables and pharmaceuticals being particularly vulnerable to disruption.
The conflict has also affected jet fuel prices, which have increased significantly, adding to the cost of transporting goods.
The IATA’s Jet Fuel Price Index for the week ending 10 April 2026 was 106.6% higher than February’s average and 119.7% higher compared to the same time a year earlier.
Network constraints
Limited access to infrastructure and cargo space availability are also weighing on the efficiency of airfreight.
According to operator perceptions, the availability of cargo carrier space has declined from 40.0 to 33.3 (with scores above 50 indicating positive change), due to ongoing constraints in dedicated freight services and reduced global air cargo capacity.
Capacity at UK international and regional airports is 38.9 due to limited expansion and persistent pressures, and bellyhold capacity is similarly low at 38.9 because of passenger services either being constrained or prioritised over freight.
Greater investment into capacity, including Heathrow’s third runway, will be essential to easing these constraints, alongside the government’s review into night flights, as an overhaul of the rules will grant operators more flexibility.
Rate risks
Looking ahead, risks to airfreight rates are increasingly linked to geopolitical developments and disruptions to key air corridors and fuel supply routes caused by the Middle East conflict could impact the market for the rest of this year.
To make airfreight more resilient against these impacts, there needs to be more investment in infrastructure, delivered in a timely manner. Strengthening the network’s resilience will drive growth and support the smooth flow of goods that communities depend on.
