Italy Air Freight Market: Trade Expansion, Capacity Optimization & Growth Outlook

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, Italy air freight market size reached USD 7.35 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 12.10 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.12% during 2025-2033.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Italy Air Freight Market

• AI-powered route optimization and predictive tracking tools help Italian cargo handlers cut delays and slash fuel costs, boosting efficiency at hubs like Milan-Malpensa where high-value exports dominate operations.
• Government schemes like the Transition Plan 5.0 pour around €200 million into AI adoption for logistics, encouraging air freight companies to invest in smarter supply chain tools and sustainable practices.
• Companies in Italy's air cargo sector now rely on AI for real-time shipment milestone forecasting, letting forwarders spot risks early and deliver more reliable service to fashion and pharma clients.

Explore Updated 2026 Market Trends & Analysis

Italy Air Freight Market Trends & Drivers:

The expansion of cross-border e-commerce significantly influences Italy's air freight sector, as online retailers and consumers demand rapid delivery of goods across Europe and beyond. Italy's prominent position in luxury fashion, consumer electronics, and high-end retail amplifies this trend, with platforms relying on time-definite air services to maintain competitive advantages in international markets. Major hubs like Milan-Malpensa facilitate swift connections, supporting inventory distribution and returns logistics that require speed and reliability. This shift toward express shipments strengthens air freight's role in fulfilling just-in-time requirements, particularly for lightweight, high-margin products where ground alternatives fall short in transit time.

Italy's robust pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries drive substantial demand for air freight through the need for temperature-controlled and compliant transportation of sensitive medical products. Exports of vaccines, biologics, and specialized treatments depend on secure, GDP-regulated cold-chain logistics to preserve integrity during international transit. Key airports such as Malpensa and Fiumicino serve as critical gateways for these high-value shipments, benefiting from established infrastructure and dedicated handling capabilities. Ongoing emphasis on healthcare innovation and global distribution networks sustains this preference for air transport over slower modes, ensuring product efficacy and regulatory adherence across borders.

Sustainability initiatives and supply chain reconfiguration emerge as key forces shaping Italy's air freight landscape, as companies prioritize resilient, efficient networks amid evolving trade dynamics. Investments in greener technologies, digital platforms, and multimodal integration align with broader European goals, while strategic positioning as a Mediterranean gateway enhances connectivity to Asia and other regions. Exporters in fashion, machinery, and premium goods increasingly favor air for time-critical flows, supported by infrastructure upgrades and policy incentives that promote modernization. These factors collectively bolster the sector's adaptability and appeal for high-value trade.

Italy Air Freight Industry Segmentation:

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

Service Insights:

• Freight
• Express
• Mail
• Others

Destination Insights:

• Domestic
• International

End-User Insights:

• Private
• Commercial

Regional Insights:

• Northwest
• Northeast
• Central
• South
• Others

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players.

Recent News and Developments in Italy Air Freight Market

• February 2026: dnata invests over €25 million in a new 10,000 sq m advanced cargo facility at Milano Malpensa Airport through its subsidiary Airport Handling, set to handle over 100,000 tonnes annually with specialized capabilities for pharmaceuticals, perishables, and dangerous goods, plus low-emission ground operations infrastructure.
• December 2025: MSC Air Cargo adds a second Boeing 777-200F freighter under its Italian AOC, enhancing capacity on Asia-Europe routes including strengthened operations via Milan Malpensa to support growing high-value cargo demand.
• 2025: Rome Fiumicino Airport implements a 22 MW solar farm as part of broader green logistics initiatives at major Italian airports, advancing sustainability in air freight operations and infrastructure.

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