IATA: Asia Pacific carriers see 'sizeable improvement' but cargo volumes still decline in Mar-2019

IATA, in its May-2019 Asia Pacific regional briefing, reported (27-May-2019) FTKs for Asia Pacific carriers decreased 3.4% year-on-year in Mar-2019, which was a "sizeable improvement" from a 4.8% decrease in Jan-2019 and 12% drop in Feb-2019. IATA stated the FTK declines reflect various factors, notably a "sharp unwind in global trade activity" and "indications of a broad based slowing in global economic activity". FTK performance in the larger international markets was mixed. Asia-Europe recovered from a four month run of negative growth, while Asia-North America and within Asia continued to record declining volumes. FTK growth picked up in the smaller international markets, including a "sharp rebound" to 4.9% growth in the Asia-Africa market. Freight load factor in Asia Pacific "performed strongly" at 55.6%, outperforming the overall industry by 6ppts. [more - original PR]