Global air cargo tonnages were up by 12% in the first half of 2024 compared with the equivalent period last year, according to WorldACD, with 11% year-on-year (YoY) growth in the second quarter (Q2) following on from the 12% recorded in Q1.
The air cargo market data provider said the preliminary figure for June of an increase of 9%, YoY, was slightly below the average YoY full-month tonnage growth figure so far this year, with strong YoY growth continuing from Asia Pacific origins but with demand from Middle East & South Asia (MESA) origins dropping back somewhat from the highly elevated tonnage growth levels experienced in the first quarter.
Tonnages from MESA origins in Q2 were still significantly higher (up 13%) than the equivalent period last year, but that growth figure was well below the 27% growth recorded in Q1, from a region particularly affected by the disruptions to container shipping caused by the attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.