Cargo demand has continued to grow in August across Asia Pacific due to sustained demand, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

Freight tonne kilometres (FTK) were up 4.2 per cent in August to 6.1 billion but capacity in available FTK grew at a higher rate of 5.5 per cent to 9.7 billion, pushing load factors down 0.8 percentage points to 63.2 per cent.

AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman says: “International air cargo demand increased by 4.8 per cent, although growth rates have moderated after the strong surge we saw last year.”

Between January and August, FTKs were up 4.8 per cent to 47.6 billion, AFTK by 6.7 per cent to 75.8 billion and load factors down by 1.2 percentage points to 62.8 per cent.

Herdman comments: “Air cargo demand remains relatively firm moving into the peak season, even though growth rates have moderated. The escalation in protectionist rhetoric and the imposition of new tariffs has so far had little real impact on trade flows, but adds an element of uncertainty for businesses reliant on integrated global supply chains.”