Global air freight monthly jump of 14% signals world trade recovery – Iata
Increased shipments of silicon chips used in high-value consumer electronics underpin the strong performance.
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A 14% jump in global air freight carried in March is the biggest in nearly seven years and a robust indicator for world trade.
The figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reverses recent trends and is the fastest pace of growth since October 2010.
The volume measure is freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) and is compared with the corresponding period last year. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), increased 4.2% year-on-year.
Airlines in Europe and Asia-Pacific posted the strongest growth – 13.6% and 18.2% respectively – and account for two-thirds of the industry-wide increase in demand.
The remaining growth was split between North American and Middle Eastern carriers, with African airlines making a modest contribution. Latin America was the only region to show a decrease.
Iata director general and Alexandre de Juniac says after adjusting for the impact of the leap year in 2016, freight demand in the first quarter of 2017 increased nearly 11% while capacity increased 3.7%.
“Optimism is returning to the industry as the business stabilises after many years in the doldrums,” he says.
The March expansion is consistent with a rise in world trade and a six-year high in new export orders.
An increase in the shipment of silicon materials – typically used in high-value consumer electronics shipped by air — is also likely underpinning a portion of the strong performance, Iata says.
Nevil Gibson
Thu, 04 May 2017
Thu, 04 May 2017
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Global air freight monthly jump of 14% signals world trade recovery – Iata
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