Dubai: Middle Eastern carriers recorded the strongest cargo volume growth in September than any other region, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Cargo volumes carried by the region’s carriers grew by 17 per cent year-on-year while capacity expanded by 14.5 per cent, IATA said in its monthly air freight market analysis on Monday.
The September global average for cargo volumes was up 5.2 per cent year-on-year, a jump on August’s 3.8 per cent growth average.
“Airlines in the [Middle East] region are capturing opportunities for growth by introducing services to regions of strong and developing trade activity, including Africa and Central America,” IATA said in a statement.
The airline trade association also said the regions volumes were increasing off the back of “service offerings for important commodities like perishables, and linking markets in Asia Pacific produces in Africa.”
Africa carriers recorded the second highest growth, 11.5 per cent; however, IATA noted that “regional trade volumes are still volatile.”
European carriers recorded the weakest cargo freight volumes for September, down 1.6 per cent, following “follows several months of persistent weakness as the Eurozone economies slow down, and the impact of sanctions on Russia continues.”
IATA also said “the Air France strike also impacted on volumes.”
