| A&A Rank | Provider | Headquarters | Air Metric Tons* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuehne + Nagel | Switzerland | 1,897,830 |
| 2 | DHL Supply Chain & Global Forwarding | Germany | 1,785,000 |
| 3 | DSV | Denamrk | 1,398,398 |
| 4 | DB Schenker | Germany | 1,050,000 |
| 5 | Sinotrans | China | 1,028,000 |
| 6 | Nippon Express | Japan | 921,531 |
| 7 | Expeditors | United States | 875,500 |
| 8 | UPS Supply Chain Solutions | United States | 830,000 |
| 9 | AWOT Global Logistics Group | China | 780,000 |
| 10 | CEVA Logistics | France | 750,000 |
| 11 | KLN | Hong Kong | 734,496 |
| 12 | Hellmann Worldwide Logistics | Germany | 595,000 |
| 13 | Kintetsu World Express | Japan | 512,081 |
| 14 | CTS International Logistics | China | 331,900 |
| 15 | Maersk Logistics | Denmark | 327,000 |
| 16 | Best Services International Freight | China | 320,810 |
| 17 | Morrison Express | Taiwan | 314,776 |
| 18 | C.H. Robinson | United States | 311,700 |
| 19 | Crane Worldwide Logistics | United States | 300,000 |
| 20 | GEODIS | France | 294,000 |
| 21 | Yusen Logistics | Japan | 280,320 |
| 22 | DACHSER | Germany | 243,753 |
| 23 | Dimerco Express Group | Taiwan | 232,940 |
| 24 | FedEx Logistics | United States | 203,000 |
| 25 | Scan Global Logistics | Denmark | 200,000 |
Ranked by 2024 Air Metric Tons
Overview of A&A’s Top 25 Global Air Freight Forwarders
Air freight keeps the world turning, especially for the just-in-time goods that drive global supply chains. Armstrong & Associates (A&A) ranks the top 25 air freight forwarders, based on 2024 air freight volumes—and updated as of August 6, 2025 Armstrong & Associates. Let’s dig into who’s leading the pack, what’s moving in the logistics arena, and why it all matters for professionals in the field.
Why This Ranking Matters to Logistics Pros
- Volume leadership = reliability: High air tons often mean strong capacity and consistent service, which matters when timelines are non-negotiable.
- Benchmarking power: Knowing who dominates air freight helps in evaluating partners—or catching industry trends before they go mainstream.
- Strategic insight: Top air players usually bring robust networks, tech integration, and global reach, shaping logistics opportunities and disruptions.
How the List Was Compiled
The ranking reflects “air metric tons”—the weight of cargo each forwarder shipped in 2024, drawn from company reports or A&A estimates Armstrong & Associates. It’s a solid snapshot of scale, though not necessarily of service quality or specialization.
Company Profiles & Highlights (Top 10)
1. Kuehne + Nagel (Switzerland — ~1,897,830 air metric tons)
Founded in 1890, this Swiss giant is a global logistics powerhouse offering integrated solutions across industries like aerospace, healthcare, and perishables. Their digital platform, myKN, enables centralized shipment management, with an increasing focus on carbon-neutral shipping choices.
2. DHL Supply Chain & Global Forwarding (Germany — ~1,785,000 tons)
Based in Bonn, DHL covers everything from air and ocean freight to customs clearing and e-commerce parcel delivery. With over 220 countries in its network, it’s a digital-first fleet and a name synonymous with reliability and global reach.
3. DSV (Denmark — ~1,398,398 tons)
DSV, from Hedenhusene, Denmark, is notable for its sustainability goal of net-zero by 2050. They offer real-time logistics visibility and full-service shipping across air, sea, road, and rail in 80+ countries.
4. DB Schenker (Germany — ~1,050,000 tons)
A Deutsche Bahn spin-off headquartered in Essen, DB Schenker delivers full supply chain solutions—ERP, air & ocean freight, and contract logistics—with a proprietary tracking tool, eSchenker, spanning 1,850+ locations.
5. Sinotrans (China — ~1,028,000 tons)
China’s leading freight firm, Sinotrans provides global trucking, warehousing, shipping, and air freight services. It’s a go-to for logistics in and out of Asia Red Stag Fulfillment.
6. Nippon Express (Japan — ~921,531 tons)
A storied Japanese logistics provider, Nippon Express excels in ASEAN cross-border trucking, cold chain, and integrated logistics — serving automotive, electronics, pharma, and more across 49 countries Freightos.
7. Expeditors (USA — ~875,500 tons)
Based in Seattle, Expeditors is a tech-savvy operator with ocean forecasting tools, sensor-enabled logistics, and a powerful SaaS engine. Global presence across 350+ locations underpin its air-freight prominence Freightos.
8. UPS Supply Chain Solutions (USA — ~830,000 tons)
Part of UPS, this division supports global freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, and supply-chain logistics. A US backbone for eCommerce and global shipping delivered across 120 countries Red Stag Fulfillment.
9. AWOT Global Logistics Group (China — ~780,000 tons)
Based in Guangzhou, AWOT offers freight, charter services, and cross-border transport. It’s a nimble option for connecting China with global routes Red Stag Fulfillment.
10. CEVA Logistics (France — ~750,000 tons)
Headquartered in Marseille, CEVA is CMA CGM’s logistics wing. They handle air, sea, ground, and project logistics, plus customs and smart packaging. Fun fact: they’re also the logistics partner for Ferrari in F1.
Noteworthy Movers (Ranks 11–25)
Several regional and industry-specific players show strength:
- KLN (formerly Kerry Logistics, Hong Kong — ~734,496 tons): Just rebranded in March-April 2025, and backed by SF Holding, KLN brings vast Asia-Pacific infrastructure and e-commerce strength – Wikipedia.
- Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Germany — ~595,000 tons): A full-service global 3PL in air, land, and sea.
- Kintetsu World Express (Japan — ~512,081 tons): Strong Japanese export/import logistics.
- CTS International Logistics, Maersk Logistics, Best Services International, Morrison Express, C.H. Robinson, Crane Worldwide, GEODIS, Yusen Logistics, DACHSER, Dimerco Express Group (Taiwan — ~232,940 tons), FedEx Logistics, and Scan Global Logistics round out the mix with various strengths regionally or in niche verticals like temperature-controlled freight, project cargo, or retail.
Key Trends Across Top Air Forwarders
1. Digital Leadership & Sustainability
Top names like Kuehne + Nagel, DHL, DSV, and Expeditors are pushing green initiatives and better tech. Platforms like myKN or eSchenker help customers manage shipments seamlessly and sustainably.
2. Regional Giants Go Global
Players like Sinotrans and KLN are expanding far beyond Asia. Their local infrastructure makes them strong global partners for companies targeting growth markets.
3. Full-Service Differentiation
CEVA, Nippon Express, and DB Schenker all offer diversified 3PL offerings—from automotive logistics to cold chain—making them one-stop logistics partners.
Conclusion
This A&A list of top air freight forwarders reveals the movers and shakers in logistics. Whether you’re benchmarking capacity, exploring global expansion, or evaluating digital efficiency, these 25 firms set the tone for air cargo logistics in 2025. From digital pioneers to regional strongholds, each brings unique strengths—but all share scale that matters in the air freight world.
FAQs
1. What does “air metric tons” mean?
It refers to the weight (in metric tons) of cargo shipped by air. One metric ton is 1,000 kg, or about 2,204.6 lbs.
2. Why is the list updated on August 6, 2025?
This is when A&A finalized the 2024 air freight volume data for publication. It’s the most current snapshot as of then Armstrong & Associates.
3. Does high volume always mean better service?
Not necessarily. High volume shows capacity but doesn’t guarantee service quality. It’s smart to also evaluate reliability, tech, and customer focus.
4. Who rebranded KLN from Kerry Logistics?
KLN changed its name in early 2025, phasing out the “Kerry” name as part of a strategic rebranding backed by SF Holding Wikipedia.
5. Are these rankings global or regional?
This list is global—top companies by air freight tonnage worldwide, not limited to any specific region Armstrong & Associates.
Thank you for reading our article: 25 Global Air Freight Forwarders List
