IATA figures mirror industry recovery

GLOBAL AIRFREIGHT volumes - measured in freight ton kilometres (FTKs) - grew by 2.9% in September compared to the same month last year. However, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) figures, year-on-year growth continued to slow slightly - at 5.5% in September compared to 6% in August and 6.4% in July. But a comparison of industry growth with the period prior to the effects of 9/11, Iraq and SARS provides another view of industry recovery, said IATA. Passenger traffic growth for August 2003 over Aug 2001 was down 4.2% - whereas freight was a strong +14% above the 2001 level. For the September freight volumes, the Middle East region continues to be the highest growth market at 15.2%, followed by a 7.1% growth in Africa. North American traffic, however, was a poor performer in September, falling by -4.6%.