THE INTERNATIONAL Air Transport Association has reported a surge in air cargo demand in June, citing shipping constraints as a strong contributor to the latest monthly figures.
IATA said the data, released on 30 July, shows continuing strong annual growth in demand, contributing to exceptional first half-year performance for air cargo.
Volumes exceeded those of 2023, 2022 and even record-breaking 2021 levels.
Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, rose by 14.1% compared with June 2023 levels. This is the seventh consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth.
Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometre, increased by 8.8% compared with June 2023.
And total half-year demand increased by 13.4% compared with H1 2023, by 4.3% compared with H1 2022, and by 0.02% compared with H1 2021.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said strong growth across all regions and major trade lanes combined for a record-breaking first-half performance in terms of cargo tonne-kilometres.
“Maritime shipping constraints and a booming e-commerce sector are among the strongest growth drivers,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the sector has remained largely impervious to ongoing political and economic challenges, and the US customs crackdown on e-commerce deliveries from China.
“Air cargo looks to be on solid ground to continue its strong performance into the second half of 2024.”
Asia-Pacific airlines saw 17% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June – the strongest among all regions.
Demand on the Africa-Asia trade lane grew by 37.5% year-on-year, while the Europe-Asia, within Asia and Middle East-Asia trade lanes rose by 20.3%, 21% and 15.1% respectively. Capacity increased by 10.7% year-on-year.
North American carriers saw 9.5% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June, making it the weakest among all regions. June capacity increased by 6% year-on-year for the region.
European carriers saw 16.1% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June. June capacity increased 9.1% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw 13.8% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June. June capacity increased 6.9% year-on-year.
Latin American carriers saw 13.1% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June. Capacity increased 15.5% year-on-year. Notably, Latin America posted the second-highest increase in international demand growth at 17.2% in June, up 6.3% compared with the previous month.
And African airlines saw 11.8% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June. Capacity in June increased by 23.8% year-on-year.
