Cargo aircraft, also known as freighters or airlifters, are fixed-wing planes designed or converted exclusively for transporting goods rather than passengers, characterized by large loading doors and unique features like high-wings for easier ground loading. Their history dates back to 1911 with air mail, and dedicated designs emerged by the mid-1920s, including the Vickers Vernon in 1921 as the RAF's first dedicated troop transport. World War II brought significant innovations, notably the German Arado Ar 232 as the first purpose-built cargo aircraft and the widespread C-47 Skytrain, with the Junkers Ju 90 introducing the rear loading ramp in 1939. The critical strategic importance of air cargo was powerfully demonstrated during the Berlin Airlift of the Cold War. Today, dedicated freighters constitute a substantial part of global air cargo capacity, with their fleet projected to grow from 1,782 in 2019 to 2,920 by 2039.