IAG Cargo
IAG Cargo is the air cargo division of International Airlines Group, operating unified belly-hold freight across British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL. It serves freight forwarders, pharmaceutical shippers, e-commerce retailers, and airlines across 250+ destinations with 12,000 weekly flights.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IAG Cargo does
IAG Cargo is the consolidated air cargo division of International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (IAG), the London- and Madrid-listed parent of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL. Created in April 2011 through the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo, the business today operates a unified belly-hold cargo platform across the group's combined fleet of approximately 500 aircraft, serving 250+ destinations with around 12,000 weekly flights. The company employs more than 2,250 people and reported revenue of €1,238 million in 2025, up from €1,156 million in 2023.
The product portfolio spans general cargo (Perform), express delivery (Prioritise), temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals and perishables (Constant Climate, Constant Fresh), high-security and specialist handling (Secure, Dangerous Goods, Live Animals, Pets, Human Remains), premium urgent services (Critical), and — launched in 2026 — a dedicated Aircraft on Ground (AOG) service and a cross-border e-commerce delivery brand (deliver-e) powered by SmartKargo. Distribution is hybrid: direct digital booking via the eBooking platform on IAGCargo.com, enterprise account management, freight forwarder networks and Global Sales Agents, third-party ground handling for non-IAG carriers, and tiered loyalty programs (Forward.Rewards, Forward.Platinum). Underlying technology includes a RESTful cargo API (MakeBooking and Route Availability), IATA eAWB and EDI interchange via SITA/CCS/XML, and approved tracking devices for real-time monitoring.
Revenue is generated primarily through per-shipment transaction fees tied to weight, dimensions, route, and product tier, plus ancillary handling/storage fees, third-party ground handling services, and subscription-equivalent loyalty programs. Customer segments are freight forwarders and logistics companies (primary), pharmaceutical and healthcare shippers (primary), e-commerce retailers and shippers via deliver-e (primary), airlines and MRO providers (via AOG), perishables exporters, and specialized cargo shippers. Strategic positioning is anchored by integration with the IAG passenger network, a Global Cargo Joint Business with Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo (announced 2025), a five-year SAF agreement with DHL (2026–2030), and top-three global SAF purchaser status, all of which monetize the existing belly-hold capacity while expanding into third-party handling and ESG-led freight.
IAG Cargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IAG Cargo
- Legal name
- IAG Cargo (division of International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A.)
- Website
- https://iagcargo.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- IAG Cargo is the air cargo division of International Airlines Group, operating unified belly-hold freight across British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL. It serves freight forwarders, pharmaceutical shippers, e-commerce retailers, and airlines across 250+ destinations with 12,000 weekly flights.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IAG Cargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Cargo Services
- NAICS
- Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (4921), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Courier Services (4513), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Service Airlines (Passenger + Belly Cargo Integrated) (THABAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter) (TLADAAAA), Express / Time-Definite Air Cargo Carriers (TLADAAAB), E-commerce Air Cargo Carriers (TLADAAAK), AOG (Aircraft-on-Ground) & Critical Spares Logistics (TLADANAL), Integrated Air Express Carriers (Air + Ground) (TLADAAAC)
Keywords
Where IAG Cargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
IAG Cargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Air freight transportation (belly-hold cargo): Revenue from transporting cargo in the belly-hold capacity of passenger aircraft operated by British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL. Covers general cargo, express, pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods, live animals, and other freight categories. Charged per shipment based on weight, dimensions, and product tier.
- Specialized cargo handling services: Revenue from premium handling services including Constant Climate (temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals), Critical (urgent time-sensitive shipments), Prioritise (express delivery), Constant Fresh (perishables), AOG (aircraft parts), Live Animals, Dangerous Goods, and Secure cargo. Ancillary fees for handling, storage (demurrage), and special processing.
- Third-party ground handling: Revenue from providing cargo ground handling services to third-party carriers. IAG Cargo was appointed as Ground Handling Agent for Qatar Airways Cargo at Dublin International Airport, managing all cargo operations for their 17 weekly belly-hold flights between Dublin and Doha.
- Loyalty programs (Forward.Rewards, Forward.Platinum): Rewards programs for freight forwarders offering tiered benefits including priority handling, discounted rates, and dedicated account management for high-volume shippers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Rate — lowest available price for confirmed shipments with limited flexibility |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flex Rate — flexible pricing with changes and cancellations permitted |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
IAG Cargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IAG Cargo provides international air freight transportation by leveraging the belly-hold capacity of five IAG airlines (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL) across 250+ destinations with 12,000 weekly flights. It sells a tiered portfolio of cargo products — general cargo (Perform), express (Prioritise, Critical, Courier), temperature-controlled (Constant Climate, Constant Fresh), specialised (AOG, Secure, Dangerous Goods, Live Animals, Human Remains, Pets), and cross-border e-commerce (deliver-e) — to freight forwarders, shippers, and other carriers.
Product overview
IAG Cargo is the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), operating as a comprehensive air freight business following the 2011 merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo, with subsequent integration of Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL. The company offers a portfolio of cargo products including general cargo (Perform), express delivery (Prioritise), temperature-controlled solutions (Constant Climate, Constant Fresh), specialized services (AOG, Critical, Dangerous Goods, Live Animals, Pets, Human Remains, Secure), and e-commerce solutions (deliver-e). With a network spanning over 250 destinations and 500 aircraft across five airlines, IAG Cargo manages approximately 12,000 flights per week. The business operates through a digital platform including eBooking for online reservations and REST APIs for partner integrations, supported by loyalty programs (Forward.Rewards and Forward.Platinum).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- deliver-e: International delivery service for cross-border e-commerce, powered by SmartKargo technology, offering door-to-door delivery to over 250 destinations
- AOG (Aircraft on Ground)
Products and services
- Perform
- Perform General cargo service for loose and palletised freight transportation, offering fast and economical shipping as the most versatile and reliable transport solution across the IAG Cargo network.
- Prioritise Express delivery solution offering speed, reliability, and priority handling for time-sensitive shipments that must fly.
- Constant Climate Temperature-controlled shipping solution for pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive cargo, with passive and active climate options across the Constant Climate Network.
- Constant Fresh Temperature-controlled solution for perishable goods requiring specific handling conditions during transport.
- Critical Premium 24/7 service for urgent, high-priority shipments requiring immediate transportation and dedicated support.
- Aircraft on Ground (AOG) High-priority service for time-critical aircraft parts delivery when aircraft are grounded, with end-to-end management and dedicated 24/7 specialist teams operating across the IAG network.
- deliver-e Cross-border e-commerce delivery service for UK shippers, providing fast international parcel delivery with clear pricing, end-to-end visibility, and real-time tracking. Currently live for UK-US shipping with planned expansion.
- Courier Express courier service for time-sensitive shipments requiring expedited handling.
- Secure Specialised service for high-value and sensitive cargo requiring enhanced security measures throughout transport.
- Dangerous Goods Transportation of hazardous materials with proper classification, documentation, and handling according to IATA regulations.
- Live Animals Safe and careful transport of live animals including exotic species and endangered animals, fully compliant with IATA Live Animals Regulations and CITES.
- Human Remains Specialised transport service for human remains with dignified handling throughout the journey.
- Airmail International postal transport service for mail shipments.
- Pets Pet transport service operating since the 1950s, working with specialist pet travel agents to ensure highest care standards compliant with IATA Live Animals Regulations.
- Tracking Devices Approved tracking device program allowing customers to monitor cargo location, temperature, humidity, movement, and stability during handling.
- eBooking Online booking platform enabling customers to quote, book, manage reservations, and access real-time pricing and availability for Perform, Prioritise, Constant Fresh, and Constant Climate Passive products.
- Forward.Rewards Loyalty program for IAG Cargo customers offering rewards and benefits for frequent shippers.
- Forward.Platinum Premium tier loyalty program offering enhanced benefits and priority services for top-tier IAG Cargo customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- IAG Cargo achieved €1,238 million in revenue in 2025, up from €1,156 million in 2023
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use IAG Cargo
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
IAG Cargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
IAG Cargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- DHLcoreFive-year SAF agreement (2026–2030) enabling approximately 240 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel to be uplifted at London Heathrow Airport. The partnership reduces lifecycle GHG emissions from DHL Express cargo transported on British Airways flights by approximately 640,000 tonnes of CO2e, with potential total reductions exceeding 1 million tonnes under a broader DHL Global Forwarding framework. SAF is sourced from used cooking oil and certified under ISCC standard.
- Qatar Airways Cargo / MASkargo (Global Cargo Joint Business)majorIAG Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, and MASkargo (MALindo Airways/Air Malaysia cargo division) operate a joint cargo business covering shared routes, coordinated capacity, and integrated sales and operations. The alliance supports closer operational integration at key gateways and enables customers to access a combined network spanning the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
- Qatar Airways CargomajorIAG Cargo appointed as Ground Handling Agent at Dublin International Airport (DUB) to provide cargo handling services for Qatar Airways Cargo. Qatar Airways operates 17 weekly belly-hold flights between Dublin and Doha, with all cargo services processed through IAG Cargo's Dublin facility. This forms part of the broader Global Cargo Joint Business between IAG Cargo, MASKargo, and Qatar Airways announced in 2025.
- MASkargomajorJoint venture partner in the Global Cargo Joint Business alongside Qatar Airways Cargo. MASkargo's operations at London Heathrow have been integrated under IAG Cargo's handling platform, expanding IAG Cargo's third-party handling capabilities.
- SmartKargocoreSmartKargo provides the e-commerce logistics platform powering IAG Cargo's deliver-e service, enabling direct booking, automated customs documentation, routing, and real-time tracking for cross-border parcel delivery. The platform integrates IAG Cargo's belly-hold capacity with e-commerce retailers and online marketplaces, offering door-to-door delivery to 250+ global destinations.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IAG Cargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Emirates SkyCargo: Cargo division of Emirates, operating one of the world's largest dedicated freighter fleets alongside belly-hold capacity. Comparable to IAG Cargo in product breadth (including pharma, perishables, and dangerous goods) and global reach via a major hub.
- Air France-KLM Cargo: The combined cargo business of Air France and KLM, leveraging belly-hold capacity across a European hub network with global reach. It directly competes with IAG Cargo on transatlantic and intra-Europe freight, and is a fellow top-3 global SAF purchaser.
- Qatar Airways Cargo: One of the world's largest dedicated air cargo carriers and a JV partner with IAG Cargo in the Global Cargo Joint Business. Operates both freighters and belly-hold capacity across a Middle East hub, directly comparable on network reach and product specialization.
- Lufthansa Cargo: The cargo division of the Lufthansa Group, operating a mixture of dedicated freighters and belly-hold capacity across a global network. It is one of the most direct comparables to IAG Cargo in scale, product breadth (including pharma/perishables specializes), and full-service airline integration.
- Singapore Airlines Cargo: Cargo division of Singapore Airlines, operating freighters and leveraging the SIA passenger network. Comparable to IAG Cargo on specialized handling (pharma, perishables) and as a major Asia-anchored belly-hold carrier.
- Cathay Pacific Cargo: Cargo arm of Cathay Pacific, combining dedicated freighters and passenger-belly capacity anchored at Hong Kong. Comparable to IAG Cargo as a full-service airline cargo business with strong pharma and specialized handling capabilities.
- MASkargo: The cargo arm of Malaysia Airlines and a JV partner in the Global Cargo Joint Business with IAG Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo. Comparable as a regional belly-hold and freighter operator with growing international handling operations.
Broad incumbents
- DHL Express: The world's largest integrator with a dedicated air freight network and broad ground handling. While a much larger enterprise, DHL is directly comparable to IAG Cargo's deliver-e service in cross-border e-commerce and is a key SAF partner to IAG.
- FedEx Express: Global integrator with a large dedicated air fleet and hub network. Comparable to IAG Cargo's express and time-definite products (Prioritise, Critical) and a competitor for cross-border e-commerce shipments.
Others
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders and a major buyer of IAG Cargo's belly-hold capacity. Comparable as an ecosystem participant that competes for end-customer relationships while also being a critical channel partner for IAG Cargo.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IAG Cargo social profiles
Digital presenceIAG Cargo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
IAG Cargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IAG Cargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
IAG Cargo subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
IAG Cargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IAG Cargo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IAG Cargo
What does IAG Cargo do?
IAG Cargo provides international air freight transportation by leveraging the belly-hold capacity of five IAG airlines (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL) across 250+ destinations with 12,000 weekly flights. It sells a tiered portfolio of cargo products — general cargo (Perform), express (Prioritise, Critical, Courier), temperature-controlled (Constant Climate, Constant Fresh), specialised (AOG, Secure, Dangerous Goods, Live Animals, Human Remains, Pets), and cross-border e-commerce (deliver-e) — to freight forwarders, shippers, and other carriers.
Is IAG Cargo a public or private company?
IAG Cargo is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was IAG Cargo founded?
IAG Cargo was founded in 2011. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is IAG Cargo based?
IAG Cargo is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does IAG Cargo make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Air freight transportation (belly-hold cargo) is the primary driver. The others are specialized cargo handling services, third-party ground handling and loyalty programs (Forward.Rewards, Forward.Platinum).
Who are IAG Cargo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Emirates SkyCargo, Air France-KLM Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo and MASkargo. Broad incumbents are DHL Express and FedEx Express. Kuehne+Nagel is listed as an others.
Does IAG Cargo have an API?
Yes. IAG Cargo offers RESTful cargo APIs with JSON-encoded request/response bodies and standard HTTP status codes. All requests must be made over SSL. Two main APIs are available: (1) MakeBooking API - allows customers to create, retrieve, update, and cancel reservations, providing authorized partners access to IAG Cargo's digital ecosystem and user end-user access tokens for secure API calls; (2) Route Availability API - allows customers to retrieve valid routes for proposed shipments, providing route options with dates, times, and pricing before booking. Partners must register and obtain an API key authorized by IAG Cargo, read documentation, and test within the UAT environment. The API returns response attributes in uppercase and lowercase ASCII characters. Developer documentation is at www.iagcargo.com/en/developer-tools.
What industry is IAG Cargo in?
IAG Cargo's product category is Air Cargo Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAAAF, Full-Service Airlines (Passenger + Belly Cargo Integrated), with a secondary code of TLADAAAA, General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter). Its NAICS code is 481112 and its SIC code is 4512.