IATA report 2013 as a 'weak' year for airfreight

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported airfreight saw a weak growth during 2013, with only 1.8% more volumes overall compared to the previous year. The trend is a possible reflection of on-shoring, where manufacturing is kept close to its market. Domestic freight tonnes carried and freight and mail tonne kilometres both saw domestic growth overtake international increases.

The amount of tonnes carried increased by 3.4% domestically, however internationally the increase was a sheer 1.3%. Freight and mail tonne kilometres rose by 2.9% domestically, while international traffic saw a rise of 1.6%. Despite the slight increases, IATA's Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Tyler, has said that 2013 saw "48 million tonnes of cargo...carried on about 100,000 flights a day."

Statistics also reported the decreases in the average price of jet fuel, brining it down by 3.9% in 2013 compared to 2012, however this year has seen a slight rise in jet fuel prices again.

According to the World Air Transport Statistics, the top 10 airlines for tonnes carried were; Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Korean Air, United Parcel Service, Federal Express, with Emirates being the number one.