Air Cargo

Central Asia Air Cargo Boom Strains Charter Network Capacity

Rising demand for air cargo across Central Asia is outpacing charter capacity as regional infrastructure projects and trade expansion accelerate. The region requires approximately $33 billion in annual infrastructure investment, with trade volumes through the Middle Corridor projected to triple by 2030. Growth in mining, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors is driving demand for heavy, oversized and time-critical shipments that scheduled carriers cannot efficiently handle. Chapman Freeborn executives note that cargo generation within Central Asia itself—rather than transit traffic—is increasingly concentrated. Connectivity improvements between China and Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, plus Europe-bound services, have not resolved fundamental constraints. Aircraft payload availability does not guarantee cargo compatibility; oversized components like 70-tonne transformers and 16-metre pipes require specialized ground equipment, runway infrastructure and handling expertise unavailable at many regional airports. Permit complexities further complicate operations.