IATA says expects air freight markets to expand 4.5% in 2015

[BERLIN] Demand for global air freight is expected to rise by 4.5 per cent in 2015, driven by growth in cross-border trade, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Wednesday.

Demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) rose 4.2 per cent in November, IATA said in a regular monthly update on air cargo figures.

"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," IATA director General Tony Tyler said in a statement.

European airlines saw demand rise only 0.9 per cent in November, IATA said, due to the stuttering eurozone economy and concerns over the Euro and the impact of sanctions on Russia.

REUTERS