In spite of may gloomy predictions earlier in the year, the latest statistics from the International Air Transport Association show that demand for air argo rose by 5.2% over the same period last year.
Distorting factors include weaker traffic during the so-called Arab Spring a year ago, and the Chinese New Year falling in January, which pushed some deliveries into February.
When comparing the February demand level with the previous month, January 2012, cargo demand actually fell by 1.2%. However, IATA said this showed freight demand continues to be relatively stable – a trend that started to develop in September 2011, and is consistent with improvements in business confidence.