The upturn in world air cargo volumes continued in June but traffic over the first half of 2007remained below historical growth rates, IATA announced in its latest monthly international traffic
figures.Freight traffic increased by 4.9% in June following growth of 5% in May. These rates weresignificantly stronger than the slow growth registered over the first few months of 2007, and couldbe indicating a return to historical growth levels in the 5-6% range, IATA commented.
Overall, freight demand for the first half-year grew 2.7%, well below the 4.6% growthrecorded for the full-year in 2006. IATA had previously suggested that the slow growth ratesreflected a switch of intercontinental freight from air to sea transport.
In terms of world regions, the Middle East remained the top growth market in June with growthof 11.1%, leaving it up by 11.7% over the half-year. Capacity growth for the region over the firstsix months was 15%, indicating a slight fall in load factors.
The key Asia-Pacific region generated traffic growth of 7.4% in June following 7.6% in May,leaving the half-year growth rate at 4.6%. But capacity in June was up just 5%, suggesting airlinesreduced capacity to accommodate the slower growth rate of the first few months.
European air freight increased by 3.2% in June but effectively stagnated over the first halfof 2007 with fractional growth of just 0.7%. North America traffic was stable at 0.4% growth inJune but contracted by 1.2% over the first six months.
IATA represents over 240 airlines comprising 94% of international scheduled air traffic.
