The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the global air cargo data for 2018 on February 6. According to the freight ton-kilometers (FTKs), the global air cargo market demand increased by 3.5% in 2018, significantly lower than the 9.7% growth rate in 2017. In terms of available freight ton-kilometers (AFTKs), capacity increased by 5.4% year-on-year, exceeding the annual growth rate of demand.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a related news briefing that the growth in international air cargo demand in 2018 was dragged down by weak demand in December of that year, and the worst performance since March 2016. In contrast to the decline in demand, capacity increased by 3.8% in 2018, which is the 10th consecutive month of year-on-year growth in capacity over demand. The main reasons for the lack of international air cargo demand in 2018 and the loss of growth momentum at the end of the year are: since the beginning of 2018, the cargo inventory of international air cargo customers has increased rapidly, the freight volume has decreased; global economic activities have weakened; global trade is weak, under 2018 In the past six months, except for the United States, export orders from other major exporting countries have contracted; global consumer confidence has weakened; geopolitical resistance has increased. It is gratifying that international e-commerce continues to grow in 2018, which will be a positive factor in promoting international air cargo growth in 2019 and in the years to come.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is cautiously optimistic about the growth prospects of international air cargo in 2019. It believes that global air cargo has significant downside risks as global trade tensions continue and some countries may continue to implement protectionist actions. International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and Chief Executive Officer Juniac said that the global economy maintains the openness of its borders to the flow of people and trade, which is crucial for the growth of global air cargo. In order to meet the needs of customers to further differentiate the air cargo market, the air cargo industry must improve its value proposition. Juniac stressed that the promotion of digital modern logistics technology and applications will help to expand the contribution of e-commerce to the growth of air cargo, as well as the transportation of goods with strict and sensitive requirements for time and temperature, such as medicines and perishables. Provide reliable and efficient service.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) related newsletter also analyzed the performance of air cargo in various regions in 2018. In addition to Africa, other regional airline performance reports show that both 2018 freight demand and capacity have increased to varying degrees. Asia-Pacific Airlines' cargo demand in 2018 increased by only 1.7% year-on-year and capacity increased by 5.0%. The weak performance of Asia Pacific Air Cargo in 2018 reflects to a large extent the slowdown in export demand from China, Japan and South Korea, the major exporters in the region. In addition, China’s economic slowdown and trade tensions have escalated or the Asia-Pacific air cargo belt Downside risks; North American Airlines' cargo demand growth rate reached 6.8% in 2018, which is equivalent to the capacity growth rate. In 2018, the strong growth of the US economy and consumer spending supported the air cargo demand in the region, especially for American airlines; European airlines' cargo demand in 2018 increased by 3.2% year-on-year, and capacity increased by 4.3%. As a major trading country in the region, Germany's export enterprises have a poor performance in 2018, which has affected the growth of air cargo throughout the region. Middle East Airlines' cargo demand growth rate reached 3.9% and capacity increased by 6.2% in 2018. Air cargo growth in the region continues to be affected by geopolitical issues; Latin American airlines' annual demand for freight in 2018 is 5.8% and capacity is up 3.4%. Despite the decline in overall demand, the South American air cargo market continues to be strong and impressive. African airlines' annual growth rate of freight demand in 2018 fell by 1.3%, and production capacity increased by only 1%.