Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 4): Global air freight markets in September 2016 showed that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 6.1% year-on-year, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement yesterday, IATA said this was the fastest pace of growth since the disruption caused by the U.S. West Coast seaports strike in February 2015.

It said freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), increased 4.7% over the same period.

Load factors remained historically low, keeping yields under pressure, it said.

IATA said September’s positive performance coincided with an apparent turnaround in new export orders in recent months.

It added that some unique factors also may have contributed, such as the rush replacement of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices during the month, as well as the early impacts of the collapse of the Hanjin marine shipping line at the end of August.

IATA ditector general and CEO  Alexandre de Juniac said demand for air cargo strengthened in September.

He said although with growth in world trade virtually at a standstill, the air cargo sector still faced some major hurdles.

“We did have some encouraging news. The conclusion of the EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement is good news for the economies involved and for air cargo.

“Growth is the way to overcome the world’s current economic challenges. The EU-Canada agreement is a welcome respite from the current protectionist rhetoric and positive results should soon be evident.

“Governments everywhere should take note and move in the same direction,” he said.

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