Air Freight in the USA and What It Means for Hiring

Why Air Freight Remains Essential in the US Supply Chain

Air freight continues to play a vital role in the U.S. logistics sector, offering speed and reliability for high-value and time-sensitive shipments. Despite its higher cost compared to ocean or over-the-road options, air cargo is the preferred mode for industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and e-commerce—especially when turnaround times are tight.

Major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Los Angeles, and Dallas-Fort Worth handle millions of tonnes of air cargo each year. These airports serve as critical connection points for domestic flights and international movements alike. Their infrastructure, combined with access to strong regional distribution networks, makes them indispensable to the fast-moving U.S. supply chain.

Air freight volumes have been stabilising after pandemic-era surges and slowdowns. As global trade patterns shift and supply chain resilience becomes more important, U.S. companies are returning to air cargo as a tool for maintaining flexibility and keeping goods moving despite longer disruptions at sea or on the ground.

Technology and Staffing Drive Performance

With air cargo operations under pressure to perform faster and more efficiently, logistics businesses are investing heavily in technology and talent. Automated cargo handling systems, real-time visibility platforms, and digital customs clearance tools are now standard in most modern air freight facilities. However, even the best tech needs the right people to make it work.

Staffing continues to be one of the biggest challenges in the U.S. air freight sector. Ground handlers, freight forwarders, and airlines are all competing for skilled operations staff—especially in busy airport environments. Load planners, warehouse supervisors, and import/export coordinators with experience in air cargo are in high demand.

There's also strong demand for sales professionals who understand the value proposition of air freight. These roles require not only logistics knowledge but also the ability to speak with urgency, manage client expectations, and close deals in competitive timelines. The pressure is high, but the earning potential is significant for reps who can deliver.

Hiring Trends and Employer Priorities

As hiring picks up in the air freight sector, companies are focusing on speed, accuracy, and retention. Streamlined onboarding processes, competitive benefits packages, and clear promotion pathways are being used to attract top talent in a sector known for high turnover and burnout.

Bilingualism and cross-border experience are also growing in value, particularly for air freight that moves through international gateways. Professionals who can manage shipments between North America, Europe, Asia, and LATAM are especially attractive to freight forwarders with global service offerings.

At Atlas Global Talent, we work with leading air freight operators, forwarders, and logistics providers across the USA to recruit skilled professionals in operations, sales, and compliance. Whether you're hiring for JFK, ORD, LAX, or DFW, our talent network helps you stay competitive in one of the most fast-paced segments of the supply chain. We support recruitment across the US, Canada, UK, Europe, LATAM and Asia—bringing global reach to your local hiring needs.