Air freight ACI: ‘trade war tensions’ slow growth

It is often said to be an indication that there is an economic recession on the cards once air transport freight volumes go into negative growth territory. That happened in 1Q2019, as ACI World (Airport Council International) has confirmed in its quarterly report, though there are regional discrepancies.

ACI World reports that airfreight volumes decreased by 1% year-on-year in Mar-2019 and by 2.1% in 1Q2019. These figures contrast with continuing growth in the global passenger segment of 4.1% year-on-year in 1Q2019.

But at the same time, there are particular reasons why the fall in freight volumes might be happening now as trade wars intensify and concerns grow about the potential for a military conflict involving Iran.

A clear definition of future prospects for both freight and passengers is not easy to resolve as oil prices continue to rise.