GLOBAL air freight volumes didn't subside after China's Lunar New Year holiday in February, as expected, and are still going strong, reports New York's FreightWaves.
One reason is Asian exporters shifting modes because of slower ocean transits around the Red Sea conflict zone as well as robust bookings by Chinese e-commerce platforms fulfilling fast fashion orders in Europe and North America.
Air cargo demand grew 11 per cent year on year in April - the fourth month in a row that has happened, according to rate benchmarking platform Xeneta. The International Air Transport Association, widely followed by the broader public, also reported lagging data showing volumes grew 10.3 per cent in March and 13 per cent during the first quarter.
Sector volume has increased by double digits for five consecutive months, cementing the recovery trend from a steep down cycle that began in 2022.
And the momentum has carried over into early May with volumes up 12 per cent to 16 per cent, the latest data from WorldACD and Xeneta show.
Demand growth for air transport has tapered slightly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia as ocean shipping schedules around the Red Sea conflict have become more predictable and cargo owners order goods with longer delivery times in mind, but volumes are still significant by historical standards.
A short dip in April related to the Muslim Eid holiday and flooding at Dubai airport was replaced by a surge in flower volumes from Central and South America.
North America is the primary destination market for flowers shipped by air, consuming more than 60 per cent of all flowers flown from Latin America and Africa combined, WorldACD said.
The improved business climate is reflected in cargo revenues reported by airlines for the first quarter, with year-on-year declines much narrower than every quarter last year.
Air France-KLM's cargo revenues, for example, declined 16.5 per cent compared to 23 per cent in the fourth quarter and saw a 29 per cent drop for the full year against 2022.
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One reason is Asian exporters shifting modes because of slower ocean transits around the Red Sea conflict zone as well as robust bookings by Chinese e-commerce platforms fulfilling fast fashion orders in Europe and North America.
Air cargo demand grew 11 per cent year on year in April - the fourth month in a row that has happened, according to rate benchmarking platform Xeneta. The International Air Transport Association, widely followed by the broader public, also reported lagging data showing volumes grew 10.3 per cent in March and 13 per cent during the first quarter.
Sector volume has increased by double digits for five consecutive months, cementing the recovery trend from a steep down cycle that began in 2022.
And the momentum has carried over into early May with volumes up 12 per cent to 16 per cent, the latest data from WorldACD and Xeneta show.
Demand growth for air transport has tapered slightly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia as ocean shipping schedules around the Red Sea conflict have become more predictable and cargo owners order goods with longer delivery times in mind, but volumes are still significant by historical standards.
A short dip in April related to the Muslim Eid holiday and flooding at Dubai airport was replaced by a surge in flower volumes from Central and South America.
North America is the primary destination market for flowers shipped by air, consuming more than 60 per cent of all flowers flown from Latin America and Africa combined, WorldACD said.
The improved business climate is reflected in cargo revenues reported by airlines for the first quarter, with year-on-year declines much narrower than every quarter last year.
Air France-KLM's cargo revenues, for example, declined 16.5 per cent compared to 23 per cent in the fourth quarter and saw a 29 per cent drop for the full year against 2022.
SeaNews Turkey
