Airfreight volumes are expected to increase by at least 2% in 2013 despite ongoing global economic turmoil. “This is a better-thanexpected scenario in light of market conditions and considering that cargo business is more volatile than the passenger market,” said Tony Tyler, the director-general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Speaking at the Cape Town Press Club last week ahead of the Iata annual general meeting and World Air Transport Summit taking place in the city later this year, Tyler said they were optimistic about the continued increase in cargo volumes, particularly in view of the direction in which the world was moving in terms of the globalised economy. “Goods have to get to markets quicker than ever before while most retailers are holding less and less stock. This has placed increased pressure on manufacturers to deliver product quickly and efficiently. In this regard our long-term view for airlines’ cargo business is an upward path in which we will continue to see volumes grow.” But, said Tyler, this path will not necessarily be smooth. “Cargo is a volatile business and it is going to be hard work to secure the volumes into the future.” Tyler said the increasing use of wide-bodied aircraft by airlines was also good news for the cargo industry because while these aircraft were first and foremost servicing the passenger market, the increased belly space ensured more cargo could be carried this way. “We believe this is a trend that we will see in the future. We don’t expect to see too much new capacity created through the delivery of specialised freighter aircraft but rather the growth in capacity will come from the use of the wide-bodied aircraft.” CAPTION Tony Tyler … increased pressure on manufacturers to deliver product quickly.
