Air freight volumes showing solid gains, emerging Asia rebounds: IATA

GENEVA - Air freight volumes continue to show solid gains on a year ago, supported by economic improvements in some regions, according to a quarterly report by IATA, which says emerging Asia trade volumes have rebounded after weakness in Q1 and consumers in the US are more optimistic about future economic performance.

“These developments have supported growth in demand for air-freighted commodities like semi-conductors,” IATA says. “However, in Europe consumer confidence and trade activity have weakened due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which could weaken air freight demand in months ahead.

“Business confidence continues to point to expansion, but rates of improvements are still weaker than 2013 year-end. Consistent with more supportive demand conditions in some regions, cargo heads surveyed in July expect growth in traffic and yields to pick-up during the year ahead.” www.iata.org (ATI).