Airfreight volumes grew faster than passenger numbers for the first time in 18 months in August 2016 with growth of 4.8 per cent, according to Airports Council International (ACI).

All regions of the world saw growth in August, with the strongest uplift coming from North America at 6.7 per cent, followed by Asia Pacific at 4.5 per cent Europe at 4.4 per cent.

Volumes were weaker on a year-to-date (YTD), with 1.2 per cent growth, and a number of regions declining. Africa saw the biggest slump at 1.8 per cent, followed by North America, which despite a strong August was down 0.6 per cent. Latin America-Caribbean also dipped 0.1 per cent.

The Middle East has seen the strong YTD growth of 4.2 per cent, followed by Europe at 2.2 per cent.