Confirming a slew of positive second-quarter results from 3PL and express companies, the latest June numbers from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show a 4.3 percent year-over-year rise in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) \u2013 the fastest pace of y-o-y growth in 14 months. However, available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs) increased by 4.9 percent over the same time period, exerting downward pressure on yields.
\nFTKs showed growth in June in every major region except Latin America, where FTKs were down by 9.8 percent, reflecting a years-long regional downturn and more recent softening demand from China.
\nThe Middle East and Europe posted the fastest demand growth, with y-o-y FTK increases of 8.0 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively. Fraport, which operates Frankfurt Airport and several others, cited strong demand for German goods for their positive air cargo numbers. IATA concurred, noting that, \u201cEuropean performance corresponds with signs of an increase in export orders in Germany over the last few months.\u201d European airlines saw freight volumes rise 5.1 percent, as well as a 4.9 percent capacity increase in June 2016.
\nMiddle Eastern carriers posted June\u2019s largest y-o-y gains in freight volumes at 8.0 percent. Capacity again outpaced growth, at 8.7 percent, y-o-y.\u00a0 IATA noted that, while the Middle East remains the growth-leader, its 6.6 percent international freight growth rate for the first six months of 2016 is far below the 14.3 percent average growth for the same period in 2015.
\nIn the Asia-Pacific region, carriers posted a 3.5 percent increase in demand for air cargo in June, compared to the previous June. Capacity also expanded 3.6 percent. \u201cThe Asia-Pacific airfreight market has been improving in recent months, most notably the large \u2018within Asia\u2019 market,\u201d the organization noted. That said, IATA concluded that, \u201cNonetheless, freight volumes from \u2018emerging Asia\u2019 continue to face headwinds from weak trade in the region and globally.\u201d
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\nSource: aircargoworld<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"