Slowing trend for air cargo

Slowing trend for air cargo    Growth in worldwide air cargo volume is slowing down, according to several reports from airline industry organizations.
   U.S. member airlines of the Air Transport Association (ATA) reported their total cargo volume increased just 2.8 percent in the first three months to 6 million revenue ton miles, compared to 5.8 million revenue ton miles in the first quarter 2004.
   Geneva-based Airports Council International (ACI) reported a 4.5 percent rise in the amount of international freight handled during the first three months.
   Last month the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 4.2 percent increase in freight ton kilometers for the first quarter.
   The ATA reported freight and express activity on Pacific routes increased 7.4 percent to 1.5 million revenue ton-miles in the first quarter. Cargo on Atlantic routes grew 5.6 percent 1.2 million revenue ton-mile, while Latin routes decreased 0.2 percent to 295,764 revenue ton-miles.
   The rate of growth for 2004 was 11 percent, when the ATA’s airlines reported 12.2 billion revenue ton-miles of freight and express cargo were carried on all routes.
   ATA airlines are Alaska, Aloha, America West, American, ATA, Continental (including Micronesia), Delta, FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest, United, UPS and U.S. Airways.