Sluggish growth again in global airfreight volumes

Airfreight volumes grew 1.2% year-over-year in June, and 3.5% in the first half of 2015, according to the latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

It attributed this sluggish growth to a decrease in trade activity, primarily in emerging markets and weaker than expected global growth.

Regionally, in Asia Pacific volumes dropped 0.3% - attributed to a slowdown of imports and exports in recent months.

In North Europe airfreight volumes remained flat in June, with increased business confidence in the Eurozone having yet to boost airfreight demand.

North America reported the largest loss of all the regions, with a 3.3% drop in volumes, resulting from bad weather and congestion at US sea ports.

Latin American airfreight carriers saw volumes drop 1.6%, as trade had been restrained by the weak economies Brazil and Argentina.

The Middle Eastern was again the strong performer as a result of an increase in airfreight capacity through Middle Eastern hubs. Carriers reported a 15.3% increase in airfreight volumes in June.

And Africa is again showing muscular growth, with volumes up 6.7%. Overall regional trade activity held despite the Nigerian and SA economies underperforming.