THINKTANK Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) has called on the Australian government to establish a dedicated freight body to independently measure and publish detailed analysis of the overall performance of the nation's logistic and supply chain networks.
'In a period of heightened trade tensions and structural economic change, it's critical that we use data like that presented in the 2019 International Airfreight Indicator to improve the way we plan, regulate and invest in our freight sector,' IPA chief executive Adrian Dwyer said.
'Without useful data to examine and measure our freight sector we will be flying blind on our international trade.'
The call follows the release of a report by executive member network IPA and BIS Oxford Economics, which indicates that belly cargo flying into and out of Australia was worth A$109 billion (US$77.226 billion) in 2018. That figure is anticipated to grow to A$114 billion this year.
The 2019 International Airfreight Indicator shows that while air cargo accounts for just one per cent of Australia's trade volume, it punches above its weight in terms of value, and by that metric, 21 per cent of the country's traded goods is airlifted, reported London's Air Cargo News.
Some 80 per cent of Australia's air freight imports and exports is transported in the bellyholds of passenger aircraft. The majority of its international air freight passes through the major airports of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Mr Dwyer added: 'Every day more than 550 international flights arrive and depart Australia, yet until now, we have been remarkably blind to the value, the type of commodity and the economic contribution of goods that travel in the belly of these aircraft.
'In a national first, the 2019 International Airfreight Indicator shines a light on a multi-billion industry that has historically gone unnoticed in our broader trade debate. The Indicator shows that airports are crucial to our trade story and the cargo transported beneath passengers is vitally important to airlines, airports and the Australian economy.'
WORLD SHIPPING
'In a period of heightened trade tensions and structural economic change, it's critical that we use data like that presented in the 2019 International Airfreight Indicator to improve the way we plan, regulate and invest in our freight sector,' IPA chief executive Adrian Dwyer said.
'Without useful data to examine and measure our freight sector we will be flying blind on our international trade.'
The call follows the release of a report by executive member network IPA and BIS Oxford Economics, which indicates that belly cargo flying into and out of Australia was worth A$109 billion (US$77.226 billion) in 2018. That figure is anticipated to grow to A$114 billion this year.
The 2019 International Airfreight Indicator shows that while air cargo accounts for just one per cent of Australia's trade volume, it punches above its weight in terms of value, and by that metric, 21 per cent of the country's traded goods is airlifted, reported London's Air Cargo News.
Some 80 per cent of Australia's air freight imports and exports is transported in the bellyholds of passenger aircraft. The majority of its international air freight passes through the major airports of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Mr Dwyer added: 'Every day more than 550 international flights arrive and depart Australia, yet until now, we have been remarkably blind to the value, the type of commodity and the economic contribution of goods that travel in the belly of these aircraft.
'In a national first, the 2019 International Airfreight Indicator shines a light on a multi-billion industry that has historically gone unnoticed in our broader trade debate. The Indicator shows that airports are crucial to our trade story and the cargo transported beneath passengers is vitally important to airlines, airports and the Australian economy.'
WORLD SHIPPING