How air carriers across the US, Canada and Latin America are recalibrating capacity for 2026

This piece explains how airlines across the Americas are moving from broad fleet expansion to a more measured, demand-led approach to capacity in 2026.

From reaction to calibration: the new capacity mindset

After a turbulent 2025, carriers are swapping open-ended growth plays for a focus on förutsägbarhet, yield protection and tighter alignment of lift with actual demand. Think of it as swapping a shotgun for a precision scope: fewer scattershot aircraft orders, more surgical deployments where volumes justify them.

Key shifts defining 2026

• Precision over breadth: Airlines match capacity to proven lanes rather than adding wide-scale freighter fleets on speculation.

• Belly recovery: Passenger schedules stabilizing bring belly capacity back into the strategic mix, especially between North America and Latin American hubs.

• Seasonal ACMI and wet-lease: Wet-lease deals are becoming more structured and seasonal, used as flex rather than permanent capacity fixes.

How north–south trade lanes are being reweighted

The north–south corridors remain strong, but carriers are rebalancing routes after political, currency and episodic shocks revealed the cost of concentration. US–Mexico links continue to attract commitment given resilient manufacturing flows, while some South American markets see frequency consolidation to prioritize fuller flights and timing-sensitive loads like perishables and pharmaceuticals.

Practical outcomes for networks

The net outcome is more segmentation: core lanes enjoy dependable uplift and steadier schedules, while secondary routes may see reduced frequency or consolidated flights. That’s good news for shippers who value reliability, less great for those who expected unlimited spot space.

Wet-leasing matures into a strategic tool

Wet-leases have moved beyond emergency stopgaps. Carriers use ACMI arrangements with seasonal triggers to access surge capacity without the long-term balance-sheet burden. This strategy preserves margin during soft patches while still letting airlines respond quickly to peak harvests, holiday e-commerce spikes or sudden trade surges.

Why this matters for freight planners

ACMI and wet-lease tools mean that capacity can flex more dynamically than in a world of only owned freighters or purely belly lift. But it also means that access to that flex is increasingly gated by commercial agreements and seasonal triggers—spot market access is less guaranteed.

Implications for forwarders and shippers

Forwarders and shippers face a market where capacity is available but rationed more deliberately. Airlines now place a premium on contracted volumes and early commitments; spot-driven strategies face narrower booking windows. Time-sensitive and temperature-controlled freight gets preferential access, while general cargo may have to explore alternate routings or secondary gateways.

Practical tips for securing space

• Plan earlier and commit volumes to secure preferred uplift and pricing.

• Prioritise contracts for time-sensitive, high-value or temperature-controlled shipments.

• Explore hybrid solutions (belly–freighter mixes) and secondary gateways for resilience.

Network optimisation beats scale chasing

Industry signals show a pivot toward optimising existing assets—extending converted freighters’ lifecycle, leaning on belly capacity and structuring seasonal wet-leases—rather than accelerating new-build deliveries. In short: carriers are focused on making the network fit the market, not the other way around.

What success looks like in 2026

Success will belong to those who understand how capacity is being rationed. That means forwarders and shippers who lock in space early, diversify routings, and use a mix of contracted and flexible tools will likely outperform those still banking on a high-volume spot market. As the old shipping adage goes, “the early bird gets the pallet.”

Summary of the strategic picture

Carriers across the US, Canada and Latin America have moved from reactive expansion to disciplined calibration: tighter frequency management, a renewed role for belly capacity, more seasonal wet-lease deals, and stronger favoring of contracted premium traffic. The result is a more predictable but more deliberate capacity landscape where planning and commitment pay off.

Highlights and the value of experience

The important takeaways are clear: capacity is being rationed with more intent; north–south lanes remain central but selectively reinforced; and wet-leases are now strategic, seasonal instruments. Still, even the best analyses and the sincerest reviews can’t replace firsthand experience—testing routes, trialing hybrid solutions and getting to know carrier behaviours matters. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Consider the platform’s transparency, convenience and broad options to match the evolving market—Book now GetTransport.com.com

In short: 2026 is about deliberate, data-driven capacity management rather than growth for growth’s sake. For logistics operators, forwarders and shippers that means planning early, prioritizing contracts for time-sensitive and temperature-controlled freight, and using a mix of freighter, belly and wet-lease tools to balance cost and reliability. Platforms like GetTransport.com offer a practical bridge—affordable global cargo transport solutions for office and home moves, parcel and pallet deliveries, and bulky items like furniture, vehicles and oversized goods—helping simplify the transport, shipping, freight and forwarding equation. By combining clear options, competitive pricing and broad carrier access, it becomes easier to secure reliable delivery, dispatch and haulage services across international and regional routes.