Dubai: The Middle East recorded the largest air cargo growth than any other region in 2013, according the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Carriers from the Middle East were the only region to record double digit freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) growth in 2013 with a 13 per cent jump.
An FTK is one metric tonne of revenue load carried one kilometre.
“The Middle East has benefited from improving economic conditions in Europe as well as solid growth in domestic Gulf economies,” IATA stated.
African market
Increased market share in Africa has also contributed to double digit cargo growth among Middle Eastern carriers.
Overall, the air freight figures grew by 1.4 per cent in 2013, well behind the Middle East growth figure. IATA stated that cargo market growth accelerated in the second half of the year.
North American carriers saw 0.5 per cent growth, whilst Asian-Pacific carriers, which hold 40 per cent of the market, grew by just 0.3 per cent.
“While we saw some improvement in demand from the second half of the year, we can still expect that 2014 will be a challenging year,” Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
