The Airports Council International (ACI) reports that air cargo volumes grew at airport across the globe by year-on-year (YOY) by 5.7 per cent in January.

All regions posted surges ACI explains, including hubs in the Latin-America Caribbean market. Africa saw growth of 9.6 per cent, Europe 8.3 per cent, North America 5.1 per cent, the Middle East 8.2 per cent, Asia Pacific 4.5 per cent and Latin-America Caribbean 2.5 per cent.

International freight at airports around the globe was up 9.5 per cent, but domestic volumes fell by 2.8 per cent.

ACI explains: “Heightened business confidence through inventory build-ups and increased export orders remained apparent for the near term, despite the looming uncertainty of trade policies in the face of protectionist sentiments that swept many countries. The political uncertainty in the second half of 2016 waned.

“While airfreight volumes continued to gain momentum, with a spillover effect in 2016, the Chinese New Year, which had a tremendous impact on air freight shipments distorted the figures and year-over-year comparisons.

“Volumes as a whole increased 5.7 per cent in January. International freight volumes continued to post relatively higher growth with an increase of 9.5 per cent, whereas domestic traffic dropped 2.8 per cent for the month of January.

“Again, this drop in domestic traffic was largely the result of business closures in the Asia-Pacific region during the Chinese New Year.”