News / Strong start for air freight, but trade wars could start a downdraught

Growth, growth, growth. The start of 2018 has been strong in air cargo – but there are some caveats which could see demand weaken over the year.

IATA reported that demand, measured in freight tonne km, rose 7.7% in the first two months of the year – the strongest start to a year since 2015, when the US west coast ports congestion saw container volumes shift to air.

Demand outstripped growth for the 19th consecutive month, with available FTKs rising 5.6%, boosting yields.

Worldwide yields grew ...