IATA: Cargo growth accelerated in September

Global air freight showed accelerated demand in September for most markets, although there are “mixed messages” in regional growth and fears remain of a "bumpy road" ahead.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) data saw global freight tonne km (FTKs) volumes rise 5.2 per cent compared to September 2013, some 0.8 percentage points ahead of the 4.4 per cent average growth in demand reported for the year-to-date. Capacity grew by 3.8 per cent.
Said IATA: “Although the overall growth rate continues the positive trend of recent months, regional variations are significant. Airlines in Asia-Pacific, North America, Middle East and Africa all posted strong growth figures (between five per cent and 17 per cent above previous year levels).
“European airlines, however, saw a decline of 1.6 per cent compared to September 2013 and Latin American airlines reported little difference from 2013 with just 0.3 per cent growth.”
IATA added: “There were mixed messages in September’s freight performance. The solid 5.7 per cent growth for Asia Pacific airlines is a particularly positive sign given their 40 per cent market share. But the 1.6 per cent decline in demand for European airlines is a worrying trend that reflects the general uncertainty in the European economy amplified by sanctions resulting from the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
“Overall, improvements in global business confidence have stagnated—which could mean a bumpy road ahead for air cargo,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and ceo.