There was a small improvement in airfreight growth in October, according to the International Air Transport Association. Compared to October 2012, global freight tonne kilometers rose four percent, with growth in all regions except Africa.

Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.

Growth of the middle class in China and other emerging economies will contribute to the future of air cargo, said Des Vertannes, the global head of cargo at the International Air Transport Association.

The Air France-KLM group (AF-KL) has pledged to remain in the maindeck cargo business, despite further reductions in its freighter complement. In a media briefing at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Erik Varwijk, executive vice president of Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo, said that over the next two years, the group will shed four of its current 14 freighters.

Prolonged weakness continued in June for the Asia Pacific air cargo markets, according to preliminary traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Momentum seems to be surging for the multilateral e-Air Waybill with the recent endorsement by the Airforwarders Association and the Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America.