There was a continued modest improvement in air cargo markets in August, according to the International Air Transport Association. August airfreight demand was up 3.6 percent year over year, which is considerably better than the year-to-date performance of a 0.7-percent expansion.

Air France is phasing out its B747-400s, beginning with its three B747-400ER freighters, and closing one of its cargo centers.

Construction has begun on Emirates SkyCargo's new cargo terminal and facilities at Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the home of its freighter operations in May 2014. Freighter operations are moving to Al Maktoum Airport from Dubai International Airport.

The International Air Transport Association called for strong partnerships to promote air cargo competitiveness through e-commerce technology at a recent e-cargo conference in Geneva.

Antwerp, Rotterdam and Dusseldorf are the best logistics hubs in Europe, according to a report from Colliers International, global real estate advisers. Kiev, Istanbul and Bratislava were the top three ideal locations for cost-driven manufacturing activities, according to the report entitled Logistics Cities.

An expanded Panama Canal will result in a smaller number of North American air cargo centers, according to the recently released North American Port Analysis by commercial real estate firm Colliers International. The report, titled "CapEx or Capsize," says air cargo's role in global trade will be defined by the tug-of-war between energy/infrastructure costs and e-commerce growth in the first post-Panamax decade, from 2015 through 2025.