The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets, showing a modest 1.6 per cent rise in volumes in March compared to a year ago, measured in Freight Tonne Kilometers (FTK).
The industry’s March performance stands in sharp contrast to the exceptionally strong 12.2 per cent rise reported for February. February’s performance, however, was positively skewed by the combined impacts of the timing of the Lunar New Year and the labor dispute at US West Coast seaports.
Freight performance over the first quarter of the year indicates year-on-year growth of 5.3 per cent. This is in line with general global economic trends and slightly higher than the 4.5 per cent growth that was anticipated in IATA’s December outlook.
The regional growth picture remains highly mixed. Latin American and European carriers reported market contractions while Middle East carriers showed rapid growth.
“The air cargo industry is on a solid but unspectacular growth trend. And there is little evidence today that would point towards an acceleration as the year goes on,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.
