Air freight records a slight improvement in June

Global air freight volumes recorded a slight increase in June compared to last year, with thecurrent level of demand appearing to be somewhat healthier than during the market lows reached in

Compared to June 2011, air freight demand has grown by 0.8%, with capacity up by 1.7%. Thisbrings seasonally adjusted June demand about 2.5% above the low reached in the fourth quarter of2011, IATA said.

“While air freight performance remains soft, it is nonetheless an improvement on the weak marketconditions of a year ago,” the airline association observed.

It said the global picture masked significant regional differences, including strong growth forMiddle East airlines and an improvement in North American air freight demand.

North American carriers saw demand grow 1.8% compared to the previous June, while capacityshrank by 1.0%. IATA commented: “An improvement in economic conditions and particularly consumerdemand in the US has helped support the increase in air freight demand in that region throughout2012.”

Middle East carriers recorded a 17.9 % increase in demand against a 14.2% increase in capacity. “ Middle Eastern airlines have been adding capacity to meet the need for moving goods between theMiddle East and Africa and also toward Europe and Asia,” IATA added. African airlines were also inpositive territory with a 15.9% increase in demand against a 12.1% increase in capacity.

Asia-Pacific airlines reported a 3% decline in demand ahead of a 1.3% trimming of capacity. “Theslowdown in major Asian economies – China and India – has put a dampener on air freight demand forthe airlines in Asia-Pacific,” IATA observed.

It said continued economic woes and waning consumer confidence in Europe had seen air freight inthe region decline by 1.1% compared to June 2011, even as capacity grew by 1.8%. Meanwhile, LatinAmerican airlines recorded a 1.4% decline in demand while capacity grew by 12.5%.

Despite the improved figures in June, year-to-date volumes remain down, year on year.International flown tonne-kilometres were down 2.6% in the first six months, and although domesticvolumes were up by 1.1%, overall volumes were still down 2.1% compared with the first half of2011.