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Middle Eastern carriers show strong steady growth in June

GLOBAL air freight volumes edged up slightly in June by 1.2 per cent compared to the same month last year, in sharp contrast to the 15.3 per cent growth in demand and 19.2 per cent rise in capacity by Middle Eastern carriers which have pursued a successful hub strategy connecting both long- and short-haul markets.

June statistics released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed, show a slowdown in growth for air cargo demand in June with growth for the first half of the year slowing down to 3.5 per cent, reported the Saudi Gazette.

"The June result confirms that growth in air freight volumes has slowed, which is consistent with declines in trade activity, mostly in emerging markets,? the IATA report said.

"The decline in world trade reflects a combination of weaker than expected global economic growth, in emerging markets and the US, as well as shifts toward the domestic market in China."

The report also pointed out that although some major economies in the Middle East have seen slowdowns in non-oil sectors, economic growth remains generally robust, which is also helping to sustain demand for air freight.

Growth for the year to date is running at 14 per cent. Asia-Pacific, North American and Latin American carriers reported year-on-year declines of 0.3 per cent, 3.3 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively. European carriers reported that markets were flat.