Demand for air cargo has remained strong in February across Asia Pacific with freight tonne kilometres increasing by 7.3 per cent, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) reports.

Freight tonne kilometres increased by 7.3 per cent to 4.9 billion in February and by 8.2 per cent in the first two months of 2018 to 10.6 billion.

Capacity in available freight tonne kilometres increased at a faster rate than demand in February, rising by 8.2 per cent to 8.3 billion and by 6.8 per cent to 17.7 billion in the first two months of the year.

Load factors were down 0.5 percentage points in February to 59.5 per cent and up by 0.8 percentage points in the first two months of the year to 60 per cent.

AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman says: “Robust manufacturing activity boosted air cargo volumes, with Asian airlines registering an encouraging 8.2 per cent increase in air cargo demand during the first two months of the year.”

Looking ahead, Herdman warns: “The ongoing positive global economic momentum provides continued optimism for further expansion in the aviation markets in the coming months. Nevertheless, the recent rise in protectionist rhetoric poses some risks to trade and business activity.”