IATA Data Shows Air Freight Demand for November up 8.8%

Despite indicators intimating that, with a 5.8% annual growth in October 2017, air cargo had passed a cyclical growth peak, global air freight climbed 8.8% in November, compared to November the previous year, in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs).
In addition, for the 16th consecutive month, in November demand growth outstripped capacity growth with freight capacity, which is measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs),showing an increase of 4% year-on-year.
The continued growth, which is still representative of traditionally strong fourth-quarter results, has kept the air cargo industry on track to achieve its strongest operational and financial performance since the post-global financial crisis rebound which began in 2010.
Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for manufacturing and export orders which, for much of 2017 has tracked sideways, hit a seven-year high in the fourth quarter, which signifies that growth should carrying momentum into this year, 2018.
According to IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, “Air freight demand remains robust. November showed 8.8% year-on-year growth, keeping up the momentum that will make 2017 the strongest year for air cargo since 2010. And there are several indicators that 2018 will be a good year as well. In particular, buoyant consumer confidence, the growth of international e-commerce and the broad-based global economic upturn are cause for optimism as we head into the New Year.”