Industry-wide freight tonne kilometre (FTK) growth has made a strong start to 2017, with air freight outperforming wider world trade since mid-2016, according to a statement released by the International Air Transport Association.
European and Asian carriers have driven the bulk of growth with the fastest growth on international segment-based routes within Asia, as well as between Asia and Europe.
“The pick-up in air freight over the past nine months has been set against a broad and synchronised upturn in global economic conditions,” according to Iata. “Consumer confidence has risen and the trade backdrop has also improved, particularly for emerging economies.
“The new export orders component of the global manufacturing PMI remains close to a six-year high, and is consistent with year-on-year FTK growth of 7.5% in Q2 2017.”
When surveyed in January by Iata, airline heads of cargo were positive about the outlook for cargo demand over the next 12 months.
