Air cargo demand rises 4.4% in August as capacity tightens

Global air cargo demand increased 4.4 per cent year-over-year in August, while cargo capacity declined 0.1 per cent, according to new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 5.3 per cent for international operations. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased 0.1 per cent for international markets.

“Air cargo demand rose 4.4% year-on-year in August with all regions reporting growth even as capacity was trimmed by 0.1%,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, senior vice-president, sustainability and chief economist at IATA. “Strong demand and higher load factors helped airlines to recoup some of the exceptionally high fuel costs.”

North American carriers posted the strongest regional performance, with demand increasing 6.6 per cent year-over-year while capacity fell 2.5 per cent. Asia-Pacific airlines reported 4.3 per cent growth in demand, while European carriers saw a 4.1 per cent increase.

According to the association, global trade grew 6.0 per cent year-over-year in July, extending a run of 33 consecutive months of expansion. IATA also said global manufacturing activity remained supportive of cargo demand heading into the year-end peak shipping season.

Among major trade lanes, Asia-North America recorded the strongest growth, with cargo volumes up 13.2 per cent from a year earlier. Europe