Colography Group report confirms strong 2004 air freight market ?

Colography Group report confirms strong 2004 air freight market à    The Colography Group has released its annual International Air Cargo Trends Report, confirming that the market for U.S. air freight was strong in 2004, with double-digit gains in both tonnage and value of air shipments.
   Total U.S. air export weight increased 10.8 percent to 5.8 billion pounds, while U.S. air imports rose 11.6 percent to 9.2 billion pounds. The value of export shipments rose 12.3 percent to $235.7 billion, with the value of imports up 12.7 percent to $346.5 billion.
   'Our data confirms that 2004 was a stellar year for U.S. international air freight, certainly the best year since 2000,' said Ted Scherck, president, The Colography Group. 'Air freight benefited from a robust replenishment of inventories due to improving demand and a shift in modal usage from vessel as shippers and consignees sought to avoid delays caused by ongoing congestion at U.S. West Coast ports. Air exports were further aided by the affect of the U.S. dollar's decline.'