Demand for air cargo strengthened in July

GENEVA - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air freight markets in July 2016 showing robust growth in demand. Measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), demand increased 5.0% in July 2016, compared to July 2015, the fastest pace in almost 18 months. Freight capacity measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 5.2% on-year, outstripping demand and keeping yields under pressure. 

Despite the subdued global trade backdrop, carriers in the world's four biggest air cargo markets – Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and the Middle East - reported an increase in freight demand. Strongest growth occurred in Europe and the Middle East, with July demand up by 7.2% and 6.7% respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Asia-Pacific airlines reported a 4.9% increase in demand, driven by strong increases in the large ‘within Asia’ market in recent months, but the latest business surveys from the region paint a mixed picture, IATA says.
North American carriers saw freight volumes expand 4.1%. www.iata.org (ATI).