NORTHWEST RECORDS STRONG CARGO GAINS

NORTHWEST RECORDS STRONG CARGO GAINS    Northwest Airlines, a bellwether B747 freighter operator in the transpacific air trade, reported strong growth in cargo traffic and revenue for the fourth quarter and year ending Dec. 31.
   Cargo revenue increased 18.2 percent to $221 million in the quarter and grew 14.4 percent to $725 million for the year. Cargo ton miles (cargo weight carried multiplied by the distance it traveled) increased 17.9 percent to 679 million CTMs in the fourth quarter, spurred by a strong peak shipping season. For the year, CTMs jumped 19.5 percent to 2.3 billion, reflecting economic recovery in Asia.
   However, cargo yield, or the amount of revenue gained per cargo ton mile carried, slipped 4.3 percent to 31.0 cents per CTM last year, despite a modest fourth-quarter increase.