Supply chain management is ever-evolving. The supply chain of large shippers is constantly changing in response to external drivers. But which of these supply chain trends truly impact the air cargo industry and to what magnitude. This research identifies a number of supply chain trends based on an extensive literature review. After that, these trends are tested by means of in-depth interviews and a follow-up questionnaire with supply chain managers of global shippers in three different industry sectors (high tech, pharmaceuticals and automotive). After an qualitative assessment on the impacts of the supply chain trends, Seabury's databases are used to quantify the magnitude of a number of trends.