The world’s airlines carried 5% more freight in May, making it the strongest month for freightgrowth since September 2006, IATA announced. International freight demand had increased just 2.8%
in April.“The pick-up in freight, led by Asia, could be the first sign of strengthening demand. Overthe next months we will be closely watching the impact of several changing conditions, includingintensifying competition from other modes of transport and structural changes such as manufacturersproducing lighter goods,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
Air freight demand growth was led by airlines in the Middle East at 10.5%. However, AsiaPacific airlines drove overall freight growth, with demand doubling from 3.8% in April to 7.6% inMay, reflecting the strong levels of economic and trade growth in the region. Air freight demandgrowth remained sluggish in North America (2.6%), Europe (1.6%) and Latin America (1.1%) whileAfrican air freight demand (-3.6%) dropped sharply.
Over the first five months of 2007, traffic volumes (measured in FTKs) increased by 2.8%. TheMiddle East soared 11.8%, Asia/Pacific was up 4.4% while Europe (+0.1%) and North Americas (+0.3%)effectively stagnated.
IATA represents over 240 airlines comprising 94% of international scheduled air traffic.
