Drewry: Air prices somewhat flat in September

Compared to September 2013, average pricing is up by $0.12.    Following a somewhat flat airfreight rate environment throughout the summer, rates in September stayed somewhat flat, according to Drewry’s East-West Air Freight Price Index.
   After measuring an average per-kilogram price of $3.34 in August, Drewry found the average price in September only increased $0.02 per kilogram. Officials had been expecting a larger price increase.
   The Drewry index takes the average per-kilogram price paid by forwarders for air service on 21 east-west routes.
   September’s rate is nearly back to the 2014 price peak of $3.37 per kilogram measured in April. The highest per-kilogram rate measured in the past year occurred in November, when forwarders were paying an average of $3.81. Compared to September 2013, rates during September rose $0.12.
   “The modest expansion of Drewry’s East-West Air Freight Price Index suggests some softening in underlying demand relative to capacity,” the firm said. “Drewry expects to see stronger pricing development on the back of some uplift in demand from the traditional year-end peak season.”