Data for global air freight markets in February shows a 2.9% increase in demand compared to February 2013. With the first two months of this year has seen an overall 3.6% improvement in demand over 2013 which according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) continues the strengthening in cargo markets which began in the second half of 2013.

Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO., says, “Cargo has had a positive start to the year. There is good cause for measured optimism for the cargo industry’s prospects in 2014. The 3.6% growth in demand recorded over the first two months of this year is a significant step up from the 1.4% growth in demand over the whole of 2013.”

“There are, however, some serious trends which are not in the industry’s favour. Companies continue to ‘on-shore’ their manufacturing supply chains. The world’s top 20 economies implemented some 23% more protectionist measures last year than in 2009. These factors are a major part of the reason why we are not seeing trade growth of 5-6%, which we would expect to see at the current level of domestic production. Currently trade and domestic production growth is running at about the same level. The World Trade Organization’s agreement in Bali late last year gives hope for invigorated world trade. It’s important that governments keep their commitments.”

The vast majority of the growth in cargo was realized by airlines in the Middle East and Europe who recorded 11.9% and 5.5% growth respectively compared to the previous February.

African airlines freight volumes however fell 5.2%, continuing the weakness that has been apparent in the continent since the fourth quarter of 2013. African freight volumes are often volatile month to month, but carriers have seen downward pressure on demand from the slowdown in major regional economies, particularly South Africa.