International cargo traffic up 3% in May

International cargo traffic up 3% in May    International air cargo traffic increased by 3 percent in May from the same month last year, when measured in freight ton kilometers, according to the latest statistics of the International Air Transport Association.
      Cumulatively, the first five months of 2003 recorded an 8.7-percent increase in cargo traffic over 2002, the Geneva-based body reported.
      North American carriers are the only region to have experienced declines in freight traffic in May, with a 5.9-percent drop from May 2002 levels. However, the cumulative five month freight traffic growth for North American carriers remained positive with an 11.4-percent increase over the same period in 2002.
   The higher international air cargo traffic levels for May compare with a sharp decrease in international airline passenger numbers.