The airfreight industry has started the year with a bang, recording the highest growth in the first two months since 2015. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said February results revealed a 6.8% increase in demand measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) compared to the same period last year. “Adjusting for the potential Lunar New Year distortions by combining growth in January 2018 and February 2018, demand increased by 7.7%,” said Iata directorgeneral and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.
Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), grew by 5.6% year-on-year in February which means demand growth outstripped capacity growth for the 19th month in a row. “This is positive for airline yields and the industry’s financial performance,” he said. De Juniac cautioned, however, that there were some potentially strong headwinds, including escalation of protectionist measures into a full-blown trade war. “Prosperity grows when borders are open to people and to trade, and we are all held back when they are not,” he said While all regions recorded growth in February, African carriers saw the largest increase of any region at 15.9%. Capacity increased by 3.9%.
