AIR CARGO DEMAND GROWS BY 9.4% IN SEPTEMBER
On 31 October, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its latest data on global air freight markets, highlighting a strong growth in demand in September.
Compared to September 2023, total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), increased by 9.4% (10.5% for international operations). This marks the fourteenth consecutive month of growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), increased by 6.4% compared to September 2023 (8.1% for international operations). This continued growth is related to the growth of international belly capacity, which rose 10.3%.
European carriers experienced a 11.7% year-on-year growth in air cargo demand in September, with capacity increasing 2.9% year-on-year. International routes saw exceptional traffic for a fifth consecutive month, with a 10.5% year-on-year increase in September, driven by rising e-commerce demand in the US and Europe amid ongoing ocean shipping capacity limits.
Mr Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, indicated his confidence for a strong finish for this year. However, for long-term trends, he emphasised the importance of the US election outcomes as indicators of how US trade policy will evolve.
Source: IATA