Airfreight gains momentum says world airports
02 / 03 / 2015
AIRFREIGHT markets are gaining steam with the overall improvements in world trade and a recovery in global demand, according to the world’s top airports.
Except for Africa, all regions experienced growth in year-over-year airfreight volumes in April, reports Airports Council International (ACI).
“The two largest global airfreight markets of North America and Asia-Pacific continue to lead the airfreight recovery since both regions attained growth levels of more than five per cent,” says a statement.
The key freight hubs of Shanghai, Memphis (Fed Ex) and Hong Kong experienced strong gains of 10.6, 9.3 and six per cent.
Global passenger traffic grew by 6.7 per cent in April and international travel contributed to the overall upward surge with an increase of nine per cent.
"Air transport demand continues to stay on its growth path," indicates ACI’s world economics director Rafael Echevarne.
"Looking back over the previous 12 months as a barometer for success, as many as 27 of the top 30 airports in the world have achieved gains in [passenger] traffic from May 2013 to April 2014.”
Major airport hubs in emerging markets such as Dubai, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur and Såo Paulo continue to experience double-digit growth.
According to ACI’s figures, airfreight has seen a strong turnaround since 2013.
Year-over-year growth has remained in the realm of four per cent over the previous six months.
“While there are signs of a Chinese slowdown on several fronts, the rise in global demand has boosted Chinese exports. Some key hubs in the region continue to perform well with respect to airfreight volumes as compared to previous years," Echevarne adds.
