World aircargo industry again off the ground

摘要

The demand for aircargo rebounded sharply in 2010 after a calamitous 18-month-decline as of May 2008. In spite of this downturn, world aircargo traffic will triple over the next twenty year according to the World Air Cargo Forecast 2010-11, presentedby Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Seattle, WA, USA. In 2009, world air cargo traffic declined by 11.3%, after shrinking by 1.8% in 2008 and growing by 3.3% in 2007. The 2008-09 period marked the first time that air cargo traffic ahs contracted in two consecutive years. The decline affected nearly all geographic markets, but markets connected to industrial freight flows generally fared worse than markets less dependant on these goods. The rising price of fuel diverted air cargo to less expensive road transportation and maritime modes beginning 2005. Although the rising volume of aircargo between 2005 and 2008 can be attributed in part to rising fuel prices, the nearly 13% drop in cargo traffic during the two years ending in 2009 reflects the steep plungein industrial activity due to the financial and economic downturn.