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African airlines show largest air freight demand increase

Cape Town - African carriers posted the largest year-on-year increase in air freight demand of all regions in July 2017 with freight volumes growing 33.7% - the second fastest monthly rise in seven years.

This is according to the latest global air freight report by the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

Capacity increased by 4.5% over the same time period. Demand has been boosted by very strong growth on the trade lanes to and from Asia which increased 80% year-on-year in June - the latest available data - and by 65% in the first half of the year.

The report shows that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), increased by 11.4% in July 2017 compared to the same period a year ago. This was the fourth time in five months that double-digit annual growth was recorded.

July’s year-on-year increase in demand is nearly four times higher than the ten year average growth rate of 3.1%.
 
Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), grew by 3.7% year-on-year in July 2017. Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for airline yields and the industry’s financial performance, according to Iata.

Consistent uptick

it said the robust growth in air cargo demand is consistent with an uptick in global trade, rising export orders and upbeat business confidence indicators. There are, however, signs that demand growth for air freight may be nearing a peak.

Seasonally-adjusted air freight volumes were flat in June and fell in July; and the global inventory-to-sales ratio has stabilized. Air cargo often sees a boost in demand at the beginning of an economic upturn as companies look to restock inventories quickly. This tapers as inventories are adjusted to new demand levels.
 
"July was a strong month for air cargo with double-digit growth. And for the third consecutive month demand for air freight grew at a faster pace than demand for air travel. While the outlook for the rest of the year remains positive, there are signs that the cyclical growth period may be nearing a peak," said Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director general and CEO.

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