European airfreight volumes disappoint

While both the cargo and passenger numbers are improving, the year has started with two disappointments, according to Giovanni Bisignani, director-general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (Iata). The first is cargo and passenger demand in Europe. “We anticipate Europe to post the equivalent of R16.28-billion in losses this year – the highest among the regions,” Bisignani said. “Weak European passenger and freight demand is in line with our forecast,” he said. The second area of dissatisfaction is the failure to address ownership issues in the second stage of talks on open skies between the European Union (EU) and the US.