Air Freight stats vs. Freight Forwarding predictions

By Freddie Pierce
Share
Like its planes, it seems the air freight business is going up and down these days. One report out of the Handy Shipping Guide reported today that the...

Like its planes, it seems the air freight business is going up and down these days.

One report out of the Handy Shipping Guide reported today that the International Air Transport Association is reporting that the air freight industry expanded with an expected annual growth rate of approximately 10 percent.

While February saw a slight dip in air freight growth of 1.8 percent, IATA translates that statistic as having to do with the Japan disasters. Freight forwarding rebounded well in the month of March, up 6.1 percent in Europe and 7.1 percent in North America.

But a report out of IFW suggested that European freight forwarders can expect a decrease in both May and June.

According to the IFW report, freight forwarders’ expectations for May and June decreased for the first time in 2011. The slide started in March, where the Danske Bank European Freight Forwarding Index slid to 64.

The freight forwarding index rebounded to 67 in April, down from the expected level of 71, and both May and June expectations were scaled back as a result of the earlier dip.

SEE OTHER TOP STORIES IN THE WDM CONTENT NETWORK

How freight rail is getting the U.S. economy back on track

Airline industry rallies on Air Freight security

Environmental factors affect Freight Forwarders, says WCA

Check out the latest issue of Supply Chain Digital!

While the two reports contradict each other, it should be noted that the first report is strictly air freight, while the second report comes from freight forwarders. While the two industries are related, they aren’t necessarily completely dependent on one another.

The conclusions to derive from each are pretty simple. The IATA report included actual air freight numbers to support its case, while the IFW freight forwarding piece was simply a confidence level of top European freight forwarders. We’ll put in our trust in the numbers, for now.

Share

Featured Articles

Guinness and the Challenge of Balancing Supply and Demand

Guinness’ soaring popularity among younger drinkers and women has led to unprecedented demand, forcing pubs to navigate order limits ahead of Christmas

Tonkean & Beroe's bid to Transform Procurement Orchestration

Tonkean and Beroe's launch of Market Intelligence-Infused Orchestration for procurement processes looks set to revolutionise supply chain decision-making

UPDATED VENUE & DATE – PSC LIVE Chicago 2025

PSC LIVE Chicago announces important changes to its venue and date for the co-located event with Sustainability LIVE and Manufacturing LIVE in 2025

Returns Tuesday: The Ultimate Reverse Logistics Challenge

Logistics

Supply Chains at a Crossroads as Plastic Treaty Talks Stall

Sustainability

Cyber Monday: Sustainability in the Digital Shopping Boom

Sustainability