Job market information
Finding out about air freight
The air freight industry is part of the logistics sector, represented by the Skills for Logistics Sector Skills Council, which also includes: wholesaling; road haulage; storage and warehousing; freight forwarding; postal services; and couriers. Logistics is the movement and supply of all goods (or freight) from raw materials, through all stages of the manufacturing process to the delivery of the finished product to companies and consumers. This is known as the ‘supply chain.’ Nearly 2,320,000 people work in the logistics sector, which accounts to 8% of the UK workforce. It has been estimated that the logistics sector is worth £86.54 billion to the UK economy.
Air freight is the movement and supply of goods by air making up part of the international trade networks. The industry is critical, as it accounts for a quarter of the value of all goods that are transported in the UK.
Key facts:
- Air freight industries in the UK transport less than 1% of all goods moved.
- Air freight traffic has been forecast to grow at an average annual rate of over 6% for the next two decades.
- There are 2,400 air freight workplaces in the UK, employing a total of 137,800 people
- This workforce is estimated to be 8% of the entire logistics sector workforce.
Jobs in the industry range from: air freight manager, air import operator, air export operator, air freight supervisor, freight forwarder, air hub manager.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements and qualifications vary depending on occupational role. For example for a Freight Forwarder, office experience, computer skills and foreign language skills can be required. There are a range of industry endorsed courses (both undergraduate and postgraduate) and foundation degrees, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry. Recognised qualifications from professional bodies, such as the British International Freight Association (BIFA) or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK are also available. The following HND or degree subjects are likely to be an advantage: transport and distribution management; logistics; supply chain management; business and management; and foreign languages with business studies.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
137,800 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
2,400 |
|---|
| Note: The following data are for the logistics sector as a whole. |
| Gender: |
74% male, 26% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity |
9% of the workforce is from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background |
|---|
| Age: |
11% of workforce is 16-24 years |
|---|
| 48% 25-44 years |
| 41% is over 45 years |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Working Futures III projects that 843,600 additional workers will be required to work in the logistics sector by 2017. Considerable demand will be seen for managers (169,200), customer service positions (132,100) as well as for transport and machine operatives (107,600).
Growth in the air freight industry has been weak largely because of high fuel prices. High fuel prices have made air freight expensive for many shippers. Although there are some concerns over the growth prospects of industry, the long-term economic growth rate is currently 3%. The continuing globalisation of the industry and expected operating cost reductions in the freighter fleet should help air freight traffic growth in the future.
Skill requirements and shortages
Investment in training within the air freight industries has built up over many years and consequently the industry does not experience problems with recruiting and skills gaps. This is partially due to the fact that air transport has been, and still is, a popular career choice.
Occupational trends
There are no data on occupational trends by industry. The following data are for the logistics sector as a whole.
For the logistics sector as a whole, all occupational groups are anticipated to have an increase in the total requirements, including:
- 20% (150,000) in managerial or senior official positions
- 16% (117,000) in sales and customer services roles
- over 54,000 in skilled trades occupations, this replacement demand is due to the aging workforce – 51% are over the age of 45 years
Logistics sector occupational distribution
| Other goods handling and storage occupations (i.e. Warehouse operatives) |
378,100 |
| Large (heavy) goods vehicle drivers |
312,900 |
| Post workers, mail sorter, messenger or couriers |
200,800 |
| Van drivers |
202,200 |
| Transport and distribution managers |
85,200 |
| Storage and warehouse managers |
75,100 |
| Transport and distribution clerks |
67,500 |
| Other occupations |
1,001,500 |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – 156,600 employees work within the logistics sector in the region, of which 4,100 work in air freight. This is 3% of the logistics workforce in the East Midlands.
East of England – 186,700 workers are employed in the logistics sector in the East of England; 13,600 of these work in air freight. This is 8% of the logistics workforce in the region.
London – 178,800 employees work in the logistics in the region. 25,400 people work in air freight, which accounts for 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North East – The logistics sector employs 55,000 workers in the region, of these, 1,400 people are employed in air freight. This is 3% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North West – 193,400 workers are employed by the logistics sector in the region, of which 13,500 of these individuals are employed in air freight roles. Air freight employment accounts for 7% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South East – 256,300 employees work in logistics in the region. Air freight is the third largest industry in this region, due to Heathrow and Gatwick. Air freight industries employ 49,200 employees, which equates to 20% of the logistics workforce in the South East.
South West – 135,100 employees work within the logistics sector in the region; of these 6,100 people work in air freight, which equates to 4% of the logistics workforce in the South West.
West Midlands – The logistics sector employs 187,500 workers in the West Midlands; of these, 6,500 people are employed in air freight. This is 3% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – 158,100 workers are employed by the logistics sector in the region; of which 1,700 work in air freight. This is 1% of the logistics workforce in the region.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007 and Inter-Departmental Business Register, 2007.]
Salary levels
Salaries in the industry range from:
- Air Freight Manager – £30,000 plus
- Air Import Operator – starting between £10,000 and £12,000, rising to between £13,000 and £24,000 with experience
- Air Export Operator – starting between £10,000 and £12,000, rising to between £13,000 and £24,000 with experience
- Air Freight Supervisor – around £24,000
- Freight Forwarder – starting between £12,000 and £15,000, rising to between £16,000 and £25,000 with experience
- Managers could earn £30,000 to £40,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Skills for Logistics AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
