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Regional carriers...expand networks and encourage freight transit

Mideast carriers’ freight business grows 17.6pc

GENEVA, April 1, 2015

Middle Eastern carriers have continued to benefit from their strong geographic base, having expanded freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) by 17.6 per cent in February, according to a recent report.

The International Air Transport Association’s (Iata) February data for global air freight markets showed that the region’s carriers have gained by expanding their networks and encouraging freight to transit through their hubs. The capacity grew 19.2 per cent.

There was a sharp increase in year-on-year global air freight volumes, with growth measured by FTK up 11.7 per cent in February, as compared to the same period last year.

The much of the impressive February result was due to the timing of the Lunar New Year activities, said the report.

Air freight is given a strong boost in the weeks leading up to the holiday, which last year fell in January.

In addition, air freight volumes were enhanced by the consequences of congestion at US West Coast ports, it said.

These factors showed up mostly in the Asia-Pacific results, with carriers in that region recording a rise in volumes of 20.8 per cent year-on-year. Japanese carriers, in particular, benefited from the modal shift owing to congested sea ports in the US.

Tony Tyler, Iata’s director general and chief executive officer, said: “A combination of factors made February the strongest month in a very long time for air freight. Nobody expects growth to continue at this pace. As we look forward, however, there is room for optimism.

“Business confidence improved slightly and trade continues to grow. The year is shaping up in line with a growth expectation of four to five per cent.”

“The prospect of strengthening air freight growth in 2015 gives an added incentive to the air cargo industry to invest in new procedures and facilities. At the World Cargo Symposium in Shanghai, held in March, the discussions centered on improving the customer experience,” said Tyler.

“Shippers are demanding better and more specialised services. The industry is responding with initiatives including accelerating the implementation of paperless processes, benchmarking cool-chain facilities, and tackling the challenge of illegal lithium battery shipments,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Middle East | Iata | freight | Carrier | Air | February |

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