Air Cargo posts strongest half-year growth since 2010

GENEVA – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), grew by 10.4% in the first-half of 2017 compared to the first-half of 2016. This was the strongest first half-year performance since air cargo’s rebound from the Global Financial Crisis in 2010, and nearly triple the industry’s average growth rate of 3.9% over the last five years. 

Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), grew by 3.6% in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. IAATA says demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for yields.

Air cargo’s strong performance in the first half of 2017 was confirmed by June’s results. Year-on-year demand growth in June increased 11% compared to the same year-earlier period. Freight capacity grew by 5.2% year-on-year in June.

“The sustained growth of air freight demand is consistent with an improvement in global trade, with new global export orders remaining close to a six-year high.” IATA said.

“However, there are some signs that the cyclical growth period may have peaked. The global inventory-to-sales ratio has stopped falling. This indicates that the period when companies look to restock inventories quickly, which often gives air cargo a boost, may be nearing an end.

´Regardless of these developments, the outlook for air freight is optimistic with demand expected to grow at a robust rate of 8% during the third quarter of this year.” www.iata.org (ATI).