The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on airports and regulators worldwide to end restrictions that prevent dedicated freighter aircraft from accessing airport slots on equal terms to passenger services — warning that current practices undermine global trade, supply chains and emergency response capability.
Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, said air cargo continued to be placed “at the back of the queue for airport slot coordination” despite its central role in the world economy.
“When we think of aviation, it’s tempting to picture bustling terminals and holidaymakers jetting off,” he said. “Yet beneath this visible layer, a quieter but equally vital engine powers the global economy: air cargo.”
Air cargo’s outsized role
Although only 1% of global trade by volume travels by air, cargo accounts for 35% of global trade by value, moving around $8tn worth of goods each year — nearly twice Japan’s GDP.
Sullivan said this included everything from medical supplies and aircraft components to semiconductors and luxury goods, enabling manufacturers to maintain just-in-time supply chains and helping small exporters compete globally.
He added that air cargo also plays a critical humanitarian role, delivering emergency aid and essential supplies during crises.
Freighters sidelined in major markets
Despite its importance, Sullivan said cargo operators face mounting challenges at some of the world’s busiest hubs:
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Bogotá and Dubai restrict cargo carriers to temporary ad hoc slots
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China confines many cargo flights to the overnight 00:00–06:00 window
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Heathrow and Gatwick do not grant historic slots to cargo operators
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Hong Kong imposes shorter parking limits on freighters than on passenger jets
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Mexico City and Mumbai restrict or ban dedicated cargo operations
Such policies, Sullivan warned, are often driven by local regulation and committee processes that favour passenger airlines rather than by global best practice.
Call for fairer global standards
IATA’s Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG) stipulate that slot allocation should be fair, transparent and non-discriminatory, regardless of whether a flight carries passengers or freight.
Sullivan urged governments, airports and coordinators to review local rules and align them with WASG principles rather than ring-fencing specific cargo slots, which he said could create inefficiencies.
“Airlines need equitable slot access to keep goods — and economies — moving,” he said. “As demand for rapid delivery grows, ensuring cargo operators can operate efficiently is essential for global connectivity.”
He added that when consumers receive next-day deliveries or nations deploy emergency supplies abroad, it is air cargo — “the quiet giant” — that makes it possible.
