Middle Eastern carriers continued their strong performance in November, with demand growth of nearly 13 percent, according to new figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Demand in the region measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTK) grew by 12.9 percent compared to the same month in 2013.
IATA said that airlines in the Middle East also saw a 17.1 percent increase in capacity, adding that the region’s efficient hubs continue to provide a strong platform for connecting long-haul freight shipments.
Globally, IATA said demand grew 4.2 percent compared to November 2013. Capacity grew by 3.3 percent over the previous November. Compared to October 2014, air freight demand expanded by a healthy 0.8 percent.
The most significant growth was recorded by carriers in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, at 5.9 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively. Carriers in these regions captured the vast majority of the global increase (93 percent).
Carriers in Asia-Pacific accounted for 55 percent of the total year-on-year growth (with a market share of 39.7 percent), while airlines in the Middle East region contributed a further 38 percent of growth (with a market share of 13.3 percent).
Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “More goods are being traded internationally and that is fueling the growth in air freight. It was clear in November that most of that growth is being captured by carriers in the dynamic and relatively business-friendly Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions.
“This year we expect air freight markets to expand by 4.5 percent, outpacing projected growth in world trade (4 percent). But that optimism is tempered by the many macro-economic and political risks that continue to impact trade flows.”
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