Africa bucks global airfreight growth trend

INTE RNATIONAL AIR freight demand grew 5.0% in September, down from 6.0% in August, but still well above the weak levels of growth seen in the first half of 2007, according to statistics released by the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Growth for the year-to-date has improved to 4.0% with the Asia Pacific (7.0%) continuing to drive the global improvement. Freight demand in Africa however contracted by 10.4% continuing a 5-month downturn.