Carriers look for a fourth-quarter uptick for air cargo traffic after a grim first half

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While some carriers are hoping to see an uptick in air freight in the fourth quarter, figures out today show a consistent first-half slump.

Total cargo tonnage at Shanghai Pudong has fallen, year-on-year: in June (-1.3%); July (-2.7%); and in August (0.7%) ? with international outbound showing the worst decline. International inbound – which carriers are reporting currently has spectacularly low yields – is steadier, with growth in August (2.1%) and no change in July from the previous year.

At Bangkok, which ...