Key Takeaways
• American Airlines Cargo grows via strategic partnerships in 2025 amid market uncertainty and digital innovation.
• Over 4,000 monthly widebody flights operate Europe–US with new transatlantic and Latin American routes added.
• As of May 1, 2025, EBR statements are no longer required for shipments from Europe, Türkiye, and CIS.
American Airlines Cargo Adopts Nimble Strategy Amid Market Uncertainty
American Airlines Cargo is taking a flexible and partnership-driven approach in 2025 to deal with ongoing market uncertainty. The company’s leadership, including President Greg Schwendinger, has made it clear that being able to adapt quickly is now more important than ever. With changing trade policies, shifting e-commerce patterns, and new regulations, American Airlines Cargo is focusing on strategic partnerships, network expansion, and digital solutions to keep its business strong and its customers satisfied.
Why Is American Airlines Cargo Changing Its Strategy in 2025?
The air cargo market in 2025 is unpredictable. While there is strong demand on transatlantic and Latin American routes, there is also a lot of volatility in Asia. This is mainly because of changes in e-commerce and adjustments in Chinese freighter capacity. President Schwendinger described the year as “unpredictable but positive,” pointing out that the company must stay agile to handle these ups and downs.
One of the biggest reasons for this nimble approach is market uncertainty. Global trade tensions, new tariffs, and changes in shipping rules mean that cargo companies must be ready to change their plans quickly. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, American Airlines Cargo’s focus on flexibility and partnerships helps it respond faster to these challenges than companies that stick to rigid plans.
Strategic Partnerships: A Key Pillar for Growth
In 2024, about 15% of American Airlines Cargo’s total cargo revenue came from interline transits. Interline transits are shipments that move between different airlines as part of their journey. This shows how important strategic partnerships have become for the company. By working closely with other airlines—especially those in the Middle East and Eastern Europe—American Airlines Cargo can reach more destinations and make better use of its aircraft.
These partnerships are especially useful for routes that don’t have a lot of direct cargo demand, such as leisure destinations. By connecting through key hubs like Honolulu and Tokyo, the company can offer more options to its customers and keep its planes full. President Schwendinger has made partnerships one of the company’s five main goals for 2025, showing just how central they are to the business.
Expanding the Network and Adjusting Schedules
To meet changing demand, American Airlines Cargo has expanded its summer widebody schedule in 2025. This includes new daily flights across Europe, Latin America, the United States 🇺🇸, and Asia-Pacific. Some of the new transatlantic routes include Venice to Dallas, Milan to Philadelphia, and Athens to Charlotte. The company has also increased the number of flights between London Heathrow and Dallas to five per day and doubled the Miami–Buenos Aires service.
From June to August 2025, American Airlines Cargo will operate over 4,000 monthly widebody flights between Europe and the United States 🇺🇸. This gives customers more choices and helps the company respond quickly if demand shifts from one region to another. Vice President of Commercial, Roger Samways, is responsible for making sure the network and commercial strategy support these changes.
Financial Performance and Industry Trends
In the first quarter of 2025, American Airlines reported $189 million in cargo revenue, which is a 1.1% increase compared to the same period last year. However, this is lower than the $220 million reported in the last quarter of 2024. The company’s overall operating revenue was $12.6 billion, but it still posted an operating loss of $270 million. Cargo yield per ton mile—a measure of how much money the company makes for each ton of cargo moved one mile—rose by 1.3% to 39 cents, but the total cargo ton miles fell slightly by 0.2%.
Industry-wide, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that North American cargo load factors dropped to 38.6% in April 2025. This means that planes are not as full as they were before, partly because businesses are changing their supply chains in response to new tariffs and economic conditions. While global air cargo demand grew by 5.8% in April, the amount of space available for cargo grew even faster in some regions, putting pressure on prices.
In June 2025, IATA lowered its forecast for air cargo growth for the year to just 0.7%, down from 5.8% in December 2024. This was due to rising tariffs and the end of the “de minimis” exemption for parcels from China 🇨🇳 and Hong Kong 🇭🇰, which allowed small packages to enter some countries without paying duties. As a result, cargo revenues for airlines are expected to fall by 4.7% to $142 billion, with yields dropping by 5.2%.
Policy and Regulatory Changes Affecting Cargo Operations
Regulations play a big role in how cargo companies operate. As of May 1, 2025, American Airlines Cargo no longer requires an Established Business Relationship (EBR) statement for shipments coming from Europe, Türkiye 🇹🇷, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that are going to or passing through the United States 🇺🇸. This change came after the U.S. government lifted its mandate for these shipments. However, shippers sending cargo to Canada 🇨🇦 and Australia 🇦🇺 still need to provide the EBR statement.
This update makes it easier for customers in Europe, Türkiye 🇹🇷, and CIS countries to send cargo to the United States 🇺🇸, as they have less paperwork to fill out. For the latest information on security and regulatory updates, customers can visit the American Airlines Cargo security updates page.
There are also rumors that American Airlines will soon update its baggage policy in response to new European Union carry-on standards. While this mainly affects passengers, it could also impact cargo operations, especially on flights that carry both passengers and cargo.
Investing in Fleet, Sustainability, and Digitalization
American Airlines plans to take delivery of 40–50 new passenger aircraft in 2025. Since the cargo division does not operate dedicated cargo planes (called “freighters”), it relies on the space available in the belly of passenger aircraft. These new planes will increase the amount of cargo the company can carry, giving it more flexibility to respond to changes in demand.
Sustainability is another area where American Airlines Cargo is making progress. In February 2025, the company nearly doubled its annual reduction in plastic waste through its partnership with BioNatur Plastics™. This shows a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations, which is becoming more important to customers and regulators.
Digitalization is also a big focus. In March 2025, American Airlines Cargo announced a strategic partnership with Unilode Aviation Solutions to improve the management and tracking of Unit Load Devices (ULDs)—the containers and pallets used to move cargo on planes. This partnership aims to make operations more efficient and give customers better visibility into where their shipments are at all times.
How Do These Changes Affect Customers and Partners?
For customers, these changes mean:
- More Route Options: The expanded network gives shippers more choices, especially on popular transatlantic and Latin American routes.
- Simpler Documentation: The removal of the EBR requirement for certain shipments makes it easier and faster to book and send cargo.
- Stable Pricing: Even with market ups and downs, prices have stayed steady because supply and demand are balanced.
- Digital Booking: Partnerships with digital platforms like CargoAi and Cargo.one allow customers to book shipments instantly and track them online.
For partners, especially other airlines, the focus on strategic partnerships means more opportunities to share routes and resources, helping everyone make better use of their aircraft and reach more destinations.
Leadership and Key Stakeholders
The company’s leadership team is central to its nimble approach:
- Greg Schwendinger: As President, he sets the overall strategy and ensures the company can adapt quickly.
- Roger Samways: As Vice President of Commercial, he manages the network and commercial strategy, including the recent expansion of widebody flights.
- Devon May: As Chief Financial Officer, he oversees financial planning and the purchase of new aircraft.
- Robert Isom: As Chief Executive Officer, he provides overall direction and speaks publicly about market conditions.
Industry and Analyst Perspectives
Industry analysts agree that American Airlines Cargo’s flexible approach is necessary in today’s environment. With global trade tensions, tariff changes, and unpredictable e-commerce trends, companies that can adjust quickly are more likely to succeed. As reported by VisaVerge.com, American Airlines Cargo’s focus on partnerships, network agility, and digital solutions puts it in a strong position to handle whatever the market throws its way.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for American Airlines Cargo?
The air cargo market is expected to stay volatile through the rest of 2025. Trade policy changes, new tariffs, and shifting e-commerce patterns will continue to create uncertainty. American Airlines Cargo plans to keep adjusting its network and partnerships to respond quickly to these changes, focusing on the routes and regions that are performing best.
The company is also likely to keep investing in sustainability and digital solutions. Customers and regulators are paying more attention to environmental impact, and digital tools make it easier for shippers to book and track their cargo.
Practical Guidance for Shippers and Partners
If you are a shipper or a business partner, here’s what you should do:
- Check Route Availability: With frequent changes to the network, always check the latest schedules on the American Airlines Cargo official website before planning your shipments.
- Stay Updated on Regulations: Rules can change quickly. Visit the security updates page for the latest information on documentation and security requirements.
- Use Digital Booking Tools: Take advantage of instant booking and tracking through digital platforms to save time and reduce errors.
- Monitor Pricing: While prices have been stable, keep an eye on market trends and be ready for possible changes if supply and demand shift.
Official Government Resources
For those interested in learning more about air cargo regulations and international shipping standards, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Cargo page offers authoritative information on policies, safety, and compliance.
Summary Table: Key 2025 Developments
- Revenue (Q1 2025): $189 million in cargo, up 1.1% year-over-year; overall operating loss of $270 million
- Strategic Focus: Partnerships, network agility, digitalization, sustainability
- Network Expansion: 4,000+ monthly widebody flights between Europe and the United States 🇺🇸, new transatlantic and Latin American routes
- Regulatory Change: EBR statement no longer required for Europe/Türkiye/CIS–U.S. cargo as of May 1, 2025
- Market Conditions: Volatile, with strong transatlantic/Latin American demand, Asian volatility, stable pricing
- Industry Forecast: IATA predicts 0.7% cargo growth in 2025, 4.7% revenue decline, yields down 5.2%
- Sustainability: Doubled plastic waste reduction via BioNatur Plastics™ partnership
- Digitalization: Strategic ULD management partnership with Unilode; expanded digital booking platforms
Conclusion: Staying Nimble in a Changing World
American Airlines Cargo’s approach in 2025 shows that flexibility, strong strategic partnerships, and a willingness to invest in new technology are key to surviving and thriving in a world full of market uncertainty. By expanding its network, simplifying processes, and focusing on sustainability, the company is working to meet the needs of its customers and partners—even as the market keeps changing.
For the most current information on routes, schedules, and policies, customers and partners should regularly check the American Airlines Cargo official website. Staying informed and ready to adapt will help everyone make the most of the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Learn Today
Strategic Partnerships → Collaborations between airlines to share routes and resources improving network reach and efficiency.
Interline Transit → Cargo shipments transferred between multiple airlines during the shipping journey.
EBR Statement → Established Business Relationship document required for certain international shipments to ensure regulatory compliance.
Unit Load Devices (ULDs) → Containers and pallets used to secure cargo inside aircraft for safe transportation.
Cargo Yield Per Ton Mile → Revenue earned per ton of cargo carried one mile, measuring cargo profitability.
This Article in a Nutshell
American Airlines Cargo’s 2025 strategy focuses on agility through partnerships, network expansion, and digital tools amid volatile global markets. New routes and simplified regulations improve customer service. Sustainability and technology investments underline its commitment to efficiency, flexibility, and adapting rapidly to evolving trade and e-commerce challenges worldwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
