IATA Forecast Shows Improved Outlook for Air Cargo
The group expects the Middle East to lead all markets in growth rates.
IATA expects the UAE to supplant Germany as the third largest air freight market in the world by 2018. (Photo: Boeing)
IATA expects the UAE to supplant Germany as the third largest air freight market in the world by 2018. (Photo: Boeing)

A new airline industry forecast from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that international freight volumes will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1 percent over the next five years, suggesting a reasonably abrupt reversal of bad fortunes for a segment whose growth rate has averaged 0.63 percent a year since 2011. Emerging economies, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, will be the fastest growing markets, according to the report.