Report Description
The global air cargo unit load device market was valued at USD 410.43 million in 2022 and is projected to surpass USD 620.52 million by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period, from 2023 to 2031. Unit load device are crucial in transporting air cargo safely, quickly and cost-effectively.
These devices enable individual pieces of cargo, luggage, or mail to be assembled into a single unit. It is used as containers for cargo and baggage carried in the holds of suitably dimensioned and equipped aircraft and secure so that they cannot move within the fold in flight.
The advantage of air cargo ULD is that it helps to minimize the airlines operational cost by saving the ground crew time and efforts. It contributes about 9% of airlines revenue, which is more than twice the revenue from the first class segment. Increasing deliveries of commercial aircraft, growing demand for lightweight ULD's, and advancements in technology are major factors driving the air cargo unit load devices.
Covid-19 Impact on Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market
Covid-19 pandemic impeded the air cargo unit load devices market as well as the whole aviation industry, due to the halt in travel and tourism activities. The pandemic has impeded industries; therefore, governments have taken initiatives to reduce losses.
Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Dynamics
-
Lightweight ULDs are widely used across the aviation industry to provide the high strength and reduce wait time to improve performance as compared to conventional ULD. The lightweight ULD is made up from polymer composite having high strength. The design reduces the weight of the container by over 25%; thereby increasing the efficiency of cargo operations. This, in turn, fuels the market.
-
Technologically advanced cold containers are used to transport temperature sensitive products such as perishable foods, medicines, drugs, blood plasma, and recently covid-19 vaccines. The growth of ULD market is attributed to increasing demand for PPE kits and medicine owning to the Covid-19 pandemic, thus fueling the market in the coming years.
-
Increasing environmental regulations and need for advanced temperature sensitive logistic services are expected to boost the market.
-
High cost for maintenance, repair and operational cost of these devices is restraining the market growth.
-
Need for number of ULDs per aircraft and increasing demand for wide body aircraft by cargo airlines are driving the market.
-
Rising aircraft orders is boosting the demand for unit load devices.
Scope of Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Report
The report on the global air cargo unit load device market includes an assessment of the market, size, share, trends, segments, and regional markets. Dynamics and overview have been included in the report.
Attributes
|
Details
|
Report Title
|
Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
|
Base Year
|
2022
|
Historic Data
|
2016–2021
|
Forecast Period
|
2023–2031
|
Segmentation
|
Products (Containers and Pallets), Applications (Civil Air Transport, Cargo Air Transport, and Others)
|
Regional Scope
|
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
|
Report Coverage
|
Market scope, analysis, share, competitive analysis, Divers, restraints, opportunities, and revenue forecast
|
Key Players Covered in the Report
|
ACl AIRSHOP, Brambles group, Cargo Composite, CSafe Global, Dokasch GmbH, Envirotainer AB, Nordisk Aviation Products AS, Palnet GmbH Air Cargo products, Satco. Inc, and Zodiac Aerospace
|
Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Segment Insights
In terms of products the market is bifurcated into containers and pallets. The container segment is projected to continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. Their high preference is attributed to the increase in device safety and increase in convenience while loading and unloading cargo.
On the basis of applications, the market is divided into civil air transport, cargo air transport, and others.
Based on regions, the global air cargo unit load device market is fragmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Presence of key players in the US, such as ACL Airship, Cargo composites, and Satco Inc, is fueling the market in North America.
The market in Europe is projected to grow at a significant pace due to the demand for cold containers from the e-commerce and healthcare industries in the countries such as the UK, France, and Germany. The aviation industry in the UK is adoption of and advanced temperature management technology of cold container for storage purpose.
The growth of the market in Asia Pacific is attributed to the increase in the demand for unit load devices from emerging economics such as China and India for air cargo operation. Expansion of the air transportation industry in countries such as India and China is leading to the increasing adoption of these ULD devices in Asia Pacific. The market in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa is anticipated to expand at a significant pace due to increasing adoption to technology and high demand for storage and transportation purpose.
Segments
Products
Applications
- Civil Air Transport
- Cargo Air Transport
- Others
Regions
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Key Takeaways
Competitive Landscape
The ULD industry is fragmented by the presence of dominant players contributing in significant market revenue.
Market Players operating in the global air cargo unit load device market include, ACl AIRSHOP, Brambles group, Cargo Composite, CSafe Global, Dokasch GmbH, Envirotainer AB, Nordisk Aviation Products AS, Palnet GmbH Air Cargo products, Satco. Inc, and Zodiac Aerospace.
In August 2020, Dnata, a cargo handling company, launched technologically advanced Bluetooth low energy (BLE) readers to enable tracking cargo transport. BLE readers are used to capture the moment of ULDs. Using this technology, shipments can track the ULS and sensor-based information such as moment of ULDs, the temperature of ULD and humidity of the containers.
In May 2020, UNILODE Aviation solutions (UAS) and Air Canada signed a seven year contract to provide a cost saving ULD management solution. UAS is expected to provide ULD management solutions to digitalize the transportation system of Air Canada.

Table Of Content
1. Executive Summary
2. Assumptions and Acronyms Used
3. Research Methodology
4. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Overview
4.1. Introduction
4.1.1. Market Taxonomy
4.1.2. Market Definition
4.2. Macro-Economic Factors
4.2.1. Industry Outlook
4.3. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Dynamics
4.3.1. Market Drivers
4.3.2. Market Restraints
4.3.3. Opportunity
4.3.4. Market Trends
4.4. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market - Supply Chain
4.5. Global Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Forecast
4.5.1. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size (US$ Mn) and Y-o-Y Growth
4.5.2. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size (000’ Units) and Y-o-Y Growth
4.5.3. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Absolute $ Opportunity
5. Global Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast by Applications
5.1. Market Trends
5.2. Introduction
5.2.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Applications
5.2.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Applications
5.3. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Applications
5.3.1. Civil Air Transport
5.3.2.
Cargo Air Transport
5.3.3.
Others
5.4. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Applications
5.5. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis by Applications
6. Global Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast by Region
6.1. Market Trends
6.2. Introduction
6.2.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Region
6.2.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Region
6.3. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Region
6.3.1. North America
6.3.2. Latin America
6.3.3. Europe
6.3.4. Asia Pacific
6.3.5. Middle East and Africa (MEA)
6.4. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Region
6.5. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis by Region
6.6. Global Air Cargo Unit Load Device Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
7. North America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast
7.1. Introduction
7.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
7.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
7.2. North America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
7.2.1. U.S.
7.2.2. Canada
7.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
7.4. North America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Applications
7.4.1. Civil Air Transport
7.4.2.
Cargo Air Transport
7.4.3.
Others
7.5. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Applications
7.6. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Applications
7.7. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
7.7.1. By Country
7.7.2. By Product Type
7.7.3. By Application
7.8. North America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
8. Latin America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast
8.1. Introduction
8.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
8.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
8.1.3. Latin America Average Pricing Analysis
8.2. Latin America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
8.2.1. Brazil
8.2.2. Mexico
8.2.3. Rest of Latin America
8.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
8.4. Latin America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Applications
8.4.1. Civil Air Transport
8.4.2.
Cargo Air Transport
8.4.3.
Others
8.5. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Applications
8.6. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Applications
8.7. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
8.7.1. By Country
8.7.2. By Product Type
8.7.3. By Application
8.8. Latin America Air Cargo Unit Load Device Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
9. Europe Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast
9.1. Introduction
9.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
9.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
9.1.3. Europe Average Pricing Analysis
9.2. Europe Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
9.2.1. Germany
9.2.2. France
9.2.3. Italy
9.2.4. U.K.
9.2.5. Spain
9.2.6. Russia
9.2.7. Rest of Europe
9.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
9.4. Europe Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Applications
9.4.1. Civil Air Transport
9.4.2.
Cargo Air Transport
9.4.3.
Others
9.5. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Applications
9.6. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Applications
9.7. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
9.7.1. By Country
9.7.2. By Product Type
9.7.3. By Application
9.8. Europe Air Cargo Unit Load Device Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
10. Asia Pacific Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast
10.1. Introduction
10.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
10.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
10.1.3. Asia Pacific Average Pricing Analysis
10.2. Asia Pacific Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
10.2.1. China
10.2.2. Japan
10.2.3. South Korea
10.2.4. India
10.2.5. Australia
10.2.6. Rest of Asia Pacific (APAC)
10.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
10.4. Asia Pacific Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Applications
10.4.1. Civil Air Transport
10.4.2.
Cargo Air Transport
10.4.3.
Others
10.5. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Applications
10.6. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Applications
10.7. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
10.7.1. By Country
10.7.2. By Product Type
10.7.3. By Application
10.8. Asia Pacific Air Cargo Unit Load Device Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
11. Middle East & Africa Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Analysis and Forecast
11.1. Introduction
11.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
11.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
11.1.3. Middle East & Africa Average Pricing Analysis
11.2. Middle East & Africa Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
11.2.1. Saudi Arabia
11.2.2. South Africa
11.2.3. UAE
11.2.4. Rest of Middle East & Africa (MEA)
11.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
11.4. Middle East & Africa Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market Size and Volume Forecast by Applications
11.4.1. Civil Air Transport
11.4.2.
Cargo Air Transport
11.4.3.
Others
11.5. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Applications
11.6. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Applications
11.7. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
11.7.1. By Country
11.7.2. By Product Type
11.7.3. By Application
11.8. Middle East & Africa Air Cargo Unit Load Device Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
12. Competition Landscape
12.1. Global Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market: Market Share Analysis
12.2. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Distributors and Customers
12.3. Air Cargo Unit Load Device Market: Competitive Dashboard
12.4. Company Profiles (Details: Overview, Financials, Developments, Strategy)
12.4.1. ACl AIRSHOP
12.4.2.
Brambles group
12.4.3.
Cargo Composite
12.4.4.
CSafe Global
12.4.5.
Dokasch GmbH
12.4.6.
Envirotainer AB
12.4.7.
Nordisk Aviation Products AS
12.4.8.
Palnet GmbH Air Cargo products