GENEVA: Middle Eastern carriers reported that air cargo demand expanded 8.7% compared to the previous April, according to IATA latest statistics on air freight for the month of April.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets in April showing demand measured in Freight Tonne Kilometers or FTKs was 3.2% above previous year levels. Demand has not, however, grown in recent months. Traffic levels in April were slightly below those of January and 1.1% lower than what was recorded in March.
This is slightly slower growth compared to previous months, but still easily the strongest growth of any region. Carriers are benefitting from the upswing in developed economies, and increased volumes from emerging markets in Asia and Africa. Capacity was up 8.1%.
Latin American airlines suffered a fall in cargo demand of 6.5% compared to April 2013. Trade volumes in the region have slowed in recent months, reflecting a wider ongoing emerging market malaise. Capacity also fell, but by only 0.5%.
African airlines saw air cargo demand grow by 2.9%. Further growth was held back by weakness in key economies in the region, such as South Africa. Capacity rose by only 1.1%