IATA sees slowdown in air freight growth

IATA sees slowdown in air freight growth    Worldwide air freight traffic continued to grow below trend in April, with a 5.3-percent year-on-year increase in freight-ton kilometers.
   The April increase brought the average growth in January-April worldwide traffic to 4.7 percent, according to the International Air Transport Association, which compiles the statistics.
   “Slower cargo growth of 4.7 percent reflects a general slowdown in global economic activity,” said Giovanni Bisignani, head of IATA.
   In April, air traffic growth in North America was just 0.9 percent, when measured in freight-ton kilometers. For January-April, growth in freight traffic in North America averaged 1.2 percent.
   IATA expressed continued concern over rising fuel prices as they affect airline profits.
   “While there has been some relief in fuel prices in the last weeks, the current levels are considerably higher than the $38 per barrel of last year,” Bisignani said. “This is the single biggest factor impacting our profitability.”
   IATA will hold its world air transport summit and annual general meeting in Tokyo May 30-31.