News / Cargo can deliver airlines a 'strategic advantage', WCS delegates told

Air freight rates were more competitive in January, relative to other modes, than since the pandemic, according to IATA’s chief economist, Marie Owens Thomsen.

And air cargo is “capturing market share in the trade space”, she added, particularly on Far East to North America lanes.

“Growth in air cargo traffic has outpaced merchandise trade,” she said.

However, there were few positives in her outlook to delegates at IATA’s WCS in Hong Kong today.

“Fuel prices and the crack spread remain high. Jet fuel is ...