Asia-Pacific cargo traffic up 6.9% in March: Iata

CARGO traffic rebounded to climb 6.9 per cent year-on-year in the Asia-Pacific in March, but indications from the latest data of declining trade could hurt regional air freight demand, warned the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

"Looking ahead, continued weakness in Chinese manufacturing activity remains a downside risk for regional economic performance, which ultimately would impact trade growth and air freight demand for local carriers," Iata said in its monthly freight market update.

April marked the fourth straight month of decline in China's manufacturing sector, which could translate to weaker GDP growth in the second quarter of this year.