TIACA releases 2026 Air Cargo Sustainability Insights Report

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) today unveiled its 2026 Air Cargo Sustainability Insights Report, providing a comprehensive overview of sustainability priorities, progress, and challenges across the global air cargo industry.

Based on responses from organizations representing airlines, airports, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers, manufacturers, technology providers, and other industry stakeholders worldwide, the sixth annual report reveals an industry that continues to strengthen its sustainability commitment, even as external pressure and regulatory drivers begin to ease.

One of the report's most significant findings is that sustainability is increasingly being driven by internal business priorities rather than external expectations. While overall sustainability pressure declined to 53%, its lowest level since 2021, executive support and organizational commitment remain stronger than ever.

"What is particularly encouraging in this year's report is that sustainability is no longer being driven solely by external pressures or regulatory requirements," said Roos Bakker, Chair of TIACA. "Even as sustainability pressure has declined to its lowest level since 2021, we see overwhelming support from company leadership, with 95% of respondents confirming CEO commitment and nearly three-quarters reporting that sustainability is now part of their company's DNA. This demonstrates that our industry increasingly recognizes sustainability not as a compliance exercise, but as a strategic imperative that strengthens resilience, drives innovation, and positions organizations for long-term success."

The report found that sustainability remains an important expectation for both employees and customers, with 60% of respondents identifying each group as a key driver of sustainability efforts. However, pressure from regulators has declined significantly, dropping 19 percentage points over the past two years as sustainability reporting requirements have evolved in several major markets.

Despite these shifts, leadership commitment remains exceptionally strong:

• 95% of respondents report sustainability is supported by their CEO.
• 92% say their CEO considers sustainability a strategic priority.
• 92% indicate sustainability is equally or more important than it was one year ago.
• 72% have a formal sustainability strategy in place.

The report also highlights the growing maturity of sustainability programs throughout the industry.

Today, 73% of respondents say sustainability is part of their company's DNA, while 65% integrate ESG considerations into risk management processes, 70% incorporate sustainability into procurement decisions, and 79% actively engage industry partners to advance sustainability goals.

"The findings demonstrate that sustainability in air cargo has evolved beyond compliance and external expectations," said Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA. "While regulatory and stakeholder pressures have eased in many markets, organizations continue to strengthen their sustainability commitments, invest in climate adaptation, and integrate ESG principles into core business processes. This reflects a maturing industry that increasingly recognizes sustainability as a strategic imperative and a driver of long-term resilience."

A key theme emerging from the report is the growing connection between sustainability and resilience. While environmental performance remains the primary focus for many organizations, 41% of respondents now define sustainability through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, up significantly from the previous year, while 33% specifically incorporate resilience into their sustainability definitions.

The industry is also taking a more proactive approach to climate preparedness. The report found that 68% of organizations have already begun integrating climate adaptation into their business strategies, including investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, risk management, business continuity planning, and long-term capital allocation.

On decarbonization, organizations continue to prioritize practical and measurable actions. The leading initiatives include:

• 73% focusing on reducing energy consumption.
• 59% improving vehicle and asset utilization.
• 58% pursuing fleet modernization initiatives.
• 55% investing in greener buildings and infrastructure.
• 40% actively involved in deploying Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or other fossil-free energy solutions, an increase of eight percentage points from 2025.

The report also highlights the industry's increasing focus on innovation and workforce development as essential components of sustainable growth. The top sustainability priorities identified by respondents include:

• Training and education (98%)
• Digitalization (98%)
• Innovation (96%)
• Continuous improvement and operational excellence (96%)
• Business partner support (95%)
• Employee experience (93%)
• Industry collaboration (93%)

Regional differences continue to shape sustainability progress across the industry. Organizations headquartered in Asia reported the strongest integration of sustainability into company culture, with 87% saying sustainability is part of their organizational DNA, compared to 80% in the Middle East and Africa, 73% in Europe, and 44% in the Americas.

The report concludes that while the pace of external sustainability pressure may be moderating, the industry's internal commitment continues to strengthen. Organizations are increasingly embedding sustainability into governance structures, operational processes, strategic planning, and long-term investment decisions, creating a more resilient and future-focused air cargo sector.

The 2026 Air Cargo Sustainability Insights Report was presented during the TIACA Executive Summit 2026 in Warsaw, Poland and is available for download through TIACA.