By Beaven Dhliwayo.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – Global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), rose 8.0 percent in January 2018 compared to the year-earlier period, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In a statement, IATA said this was up from the 5.8 percent annual growth recorded in December 2017.
It said freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), rose by 4.2 percent year-on-year in January 2018.
IATA said the continued positive momentum in freight growth into 2018 reflects the fact that demand drivers for air cargo remain supportive.
It said global demand for manufacturing exports is buoyant and meeting this strong demand is leading to longer supply chain delivery times.
It said demand for air cargo may strengthen as a result, with companies seeking faster delivery times to make up for longer production times.
IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said with 8 percent growth in January, it has been a solid start to 2018 for air cargo.
“That follows an exceptional year in which demand grew by 9 percent.
“We expect demand for air cargo to taper to a more normal 4.5 percent growth rate for 2018. But there are potential headwinds.
“If President Trump follows through on his promise to impose sanctions on aluminium and steel imports, there is a very real risk of a trade war. Nobody wins when protectionist measures escalate,” he said.
IATA represents some 280 airlines comprising 83 percent of global air traffic.
Total freight traffic market shares by region of carriers in terms of FTK are Asia-Pacific 37 percent, Europe 24.2 percent, North America
20.5 percent, Middle East 13.7 percent, Latin America 2.7 percent and Africa 1.9 percent.
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