IATA reports air cargo enjoys continued rebound, up 3.8pc year to date

FIGURES issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show airfreight demand continued to rebound with 5.5 per cent increase in demand growth in July, a 4.9 per cent over growth in June.

There was also an increase of 2.7 per cent growth rise in the first half of 2007, and a 3.8 per cent increase year to date.

But the good news was tinged with caution. "If volatility in global stock markets begins to affect the wider economy, the spin-off could drag on demand. Airlines will have to maintain a prudent approach to adding new capacity," said IATA chief executive Giovanni Bisignani.

Leading demand growth were Middle East carriers with 11.1 per cent even while capacity (ATKs) grew by 16.5 per cent. Airlines in Asia Pacific boosted global totals with above average freight growth of 8.2 per cent in July, reflecting strong levels of economic and trade growth in the region.

Europe also saw growth of 4.8 per cent with only a capacity growth of 3.1 per cent growth. Latin America continued to sag with a 5.3 per cent fall year-on-year while its capacity jumped by 9.5 per cent.