Air Cargo demand continues upward trajectory in February
Global FTKs grow by 8.8% y-o-y
Apr 06, 2017: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released demand growth results for global air freight markets for February 2017 indicating an 8.4 percent increase in demand measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) compared to the same period last year.
After adjusting for the impact of the leap year in 2016, demand increased by 12 percent -- almost four times better than the five-year average rate of 3 percent, said an IATA release adding that freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), shrank by 0.4 percent in February 2017.
"February further added to the cautious optimism building in air cargo markets. Demand grew by 12 percent in February—about four times the five-year average rate. With demand growing faster than capacity, yields got a boost. While there are signs of stronger world trade, concerns over the current protectionist rhetoric are still very real," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
The rapid growth of niche markets such as cross-border e-commerce and time and temperature sensitive pharmaceutical are showing robust growth as noted at the World Air Cargo Symposium held in Abu Dhabi last month.
