ACI: Surge in monthly air cargo volumes slows

Through the first nine months of the year, global airfreight shipments are up 8.4 percent from the same 2016 period, according to data from Airports Council International (ACI).    A global surge in airfreight volumes in 2017 slowed somewhat in September, with year-over-year figures falling to 6.8 percent during the month and dropping 10.5 percent from August, according to newly released data from the Airports Council International (ACI), the global trade representative of the world’s airport authorities.
   Through the first nine months of the year, global freight shipping numbers were up 8.4 percent, according to ACI data. For the previous 12 months, shipping was up 8.3 percent, statistics show, both down from the previous month’s double-digit increases in monthly and YTD air cargo shipments.
   Despite the slowdown from August’s growth however, most regions posted robust freight volume figures in September, according to ACI data.
   Leading the way was Africa, with a growth rate of 16.2 percent on a year over year basis, while Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East also posted considerable increases, with 9.4 percent, eight percent, and 7.3 percent growth rates, respectively.
   The North American and Latin America-Caribbean freight markets weathered hurricane season better than their passenger markets, although growth was more subdued, Airport Council statistics show. The regions’ year over year growth rates reached 2.9 percent and 1.6 percent respectively, down from 10.1 percent and 9.1 percent in August.
   The resulting year to date figures for the two regions stood at 4.6 percent and 6.5 percent respectively, suggesting that end of year results should remain robust, the ACI said in a statement.