GLOBAL CARGO 2016 & H1 2017

• According to TIACA and IATA, air freight is in a positive trend and it is expected to remain growing. The recovery started in early 2016 and has continued until now. This trend is specially marked in international traffic.

• The growth is driven by an upturn in the economic cycle, which has caused firms to restock, and consumer confidence and demand to soar. The later will be driving air freight up for the time being. The first half of 2017 (H1) has been the best half year in the industry in a long time with Jan – Jul worldwide growths above 8%. Air trade has increased in all 4 major trade routes during this period (Asia-Europe, Asia-NAm, NAm-Europe and IntraAsia).

• Demand for air freight has outpaced the growth in belly capacity since August 2016. Combined with controlled fuel prices (they are expected to rise slowly in the years to come) this has helped to drive both prices and yields up(yields: +4.5% in H1 2017). Air freight rates have slowly edged upwards ahead of peak season. The general confidence rate in the sector is increasing for the whole of 2017 and the near future since freight demand remains robust, alongside widening profit margins and the increase in global economic performance is the driving force behind this.

• According to TIACA, the increase in ecommerce (“the mega-trend of our times”), which increases express demand, will also be driving air freight growth up for the years to come, alongside with an increase in demand temperature-sensitive items like pharmaceuticals and fresh foodstuffs. The current perspectives for air freight are positive.

• In Europe traffic is concentrated in the 4 big freight gateways. BCN consolidates its position in the top 20, when it was #27 only 5 years ago.

Source: Barcelona Air Traffic Intelligence Unit/ September 2017

Barcelona Air Route Development Committee

promotes Barcelona Airport intercontinental flights