Air Cargo Europe begins amid decreasing traffic volumes
Just before the Air Cargo Europe in Munich (4-7 June 2019), Iata has released data for global air freight markets showing that demand fell by 4.7% in April 2019, compared to the same period the year before. This continued the negative trend in year-on-year demand that began in January.
Capacity growth (2.6% year-on-year) has now outpaced that of demand for the last 12 months. Air cargo volumes have been volatile in 2019, due to the timing of the Chinese New Year and Easter, but the trend is clearly downwards, with volumes around 3% below the August 2018 peak.
European airlines posted a sharp 6.2% decrease in freight demand compared to April 2018. Weakness in German export orders, along with subdued economic growth and the ongoing lack of clarity around Brexit are all factors weighing upon air freight outcomes. (ah)