Measured by freight-tonne-kilometers (FTKs), volumes rose 5.1 percent in August 2014, compared to August 2013, while capacity grew at a slower pace of 3.4 percent from the previous year. This is the second consecutive strong month for cargo volumes, following the 6.1 percent year-on-year rise recorded in July. “The outlook for air cargo is clearly getting better. However, there are some limiting factors on the extent of potential gains. Demand for air cargo is growing more slowly than global economic activity,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO. “Businesses are reported to have more confidence in the future, but the list of political and economic risks continues to moderate how that confidence translates into actual activity.” Carriers in all regions reported an expansion in volumes. African airlines led the pack with the strongest growth of air cargo demand – 9.2 percent year-on-year – with capacity growth of 4.2 percent. Although this is the second consecutive month of strong growth, the volatility of African data, coupled with the slowdown in key African economies such as South Africa, IATA said it is too soon to understand the extent to which this represents a real and sustainable acceleration.

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