World air cargo growth continued to perform significantly weaker than passenger demand, because ofintense price competition with other modes of transport, the International Air Transport
Association said on the publication of its latest traffic figures.Freight demand in the first third of this year grew by just 2.6% on the same period in 2006,whereas there was a 6.7% rise in passenger traffic.
The Middle East proved the strongest growing region for cargo (up 12.2%), helped by strongeconomic growth, route expansion and increased perishable goods shipments, said IATA.
Europe saw a slight contraction (-0.1%) in freight demand, however, while North America rosejust 0.9% and Latin America fell by 5.5%. Asia Pacific was the second strongest growing region, up3.9% year-on-year. Africa rose by 2%.
“Freight demand is showing much more price sensitivity than previously,” said GiovanniBisignani, IATA’s director general.
“The cargo business is still growing, but competition with other modes of transport issevere. Sea shipping is taking a greater proportion of the benefits from the economic boom,” headded.
IATA represents 250 airlines comprising 94% of international scheduled air traffic.
