The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has unveiled its 2026 Air Cargo Sustainability Insights Report at the Executive Summit in Warsaw, Poland. The report highlights a significant shift in the industry’s approach, with sustainability evolving from a regulatory requirement into a core element of long-term business strategy.
Although external pressure has fallen to its lowest level since 2021, internal commitment has reached an all-time high. The report shows that organisations now view sustainability as a driver of resilience, operational efficiency, and future growth, rather than simply an environmental obligation.
Leadership and Long-Term Planning Take Centre Stage
Executive support has emerged as the biggest driver of sustainability across the industry. According to the report:
- 95% of respondents said sustainability is actively supported by their CEO.
- 92% said company leadership views sustainability as a core strategic priority.
- 73% reported that sustainability is now embedded in their company’s culture or “DNA.”
The industry’s definition of sustainability is also evolving. Around 41% of organisations now frame it through an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) lens, while 33% include business resilience as a key sustainability objective. This reflects a broader focus on managing long-term risks while creating lasting value.
Turning Sustainability into Action
Climate adaptation is becoming an essential part of business planning. Nearly 68% of organisations have integrated climate resilience into their capital investment strategies, including investments in weather-resilient infrastructure and business continuity planning.
Companies are accelerating decarbonisation through practical measures, including reducing energy consumption, improving asset and vehicle utilisation, modernising fleets, and increasing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption to 40%, up eight percentage points from 2025.
Innovation Driving Long-Term Progress
Innovation and workforce development remain key sustainability priorities, with 98% of respondents highlighting training, education and digitalisation, while 96% identified innovation and continuous improvement as critical to long-term progress.
The report also reveals notable regional differences. Sustainability is most deeply embedded in company culture among organisations based in Asia (87%) and the Middle East and Africa (80%), compared with Europe (73%) and the Americas (44%).
Overall, the findings indicate that the air cargo sector is moving beyond compliance-driven sustainability. Instead, organisations are embedding sustainability into corporate decision-making, strengthening resilience, improving operational performance, and positioning themselves for long-term success in a rapidly evolving industry