This was the fourth time in five months that double-digit annual growth was recorded. July's year-on-year increase in demand is nearly four times higher than the ten-year average growth rate of 3.1 per cent.

Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), grew by 3.7 per cent year-on-year in July 2017.

Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for airline yields and the industry's financial performance.

The robust growth in air cargo demand is consistent with an uptick in global trade, rising export orders and upbeat business confidence indicators.

There are, however, signs that demand growth for air freight may be nearing a peak. Seasonally-adjusted air freight volumes were flat in June and fell in July; and the global inventory-to-sales ratio has stabilized. Air cargo often sees a boost in demand at the beginning of an economic upturn as companies look to restock inventories quickly. This tapers as inventories are adjusted to new demand levels.

“July was a strong month for air cargo with double-digit growth. And for the third consecutive month demand for air freight grew at a faster pace than demand for air travel. While the outlook for the rest of the year remains positive, there are signs that the cyclical growth period may be nearing a peak,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Regional performance

African carriers posted the largest year-on-year increase in demand of all regions in July 2017 with freight volumes growing 33.7 per cent- the second fastest monthly rise in seven years. Capacity increased by 4.5 per cent over the same time. Demand has been boosted by very strong growth on the trade lanes to and from Asia which increased 80 per cent year-on-year in June (latest available data) and by 65 per cent in the first half of the year.

European airlines posted a 12.1 per cent increase in freight demand in July 2017 and a capacity increase of 5.5 per cent. Double-digit growth in international demand has now been recorded in nine out of the past eleven months bolstered by strong demand on the Europe-Asia market. While export orders remain strong the recent strengthening of the Euro may begin to weigh upon the region's exporters.

Asia-Pacific airlines' freight volumes grew 11 per cent in July 2017 compared to the same period a year earlier and capacity increased by 6.3 per cent. Demand growth was robust on all the major routes to, from and within the region. Seasonally-adjusted international freight volumes fell slightly in July but remain more than three per cent above the volumes reached following the 2010 post-global financial crisis bounce-back.

Double digit growth for global air freight demand