Asia tops air cargo export growth market in first half of 2024

Asia has been dominating the world's top export air cargo growth markets. According to WorldACD market data, Asian countries were the top five export tonnage growth positions in June as well as ""forming most of the strongest outbound growth subregions"" in the first half of the year. China recorded the largest export growth with an increase of 30 million kilograms in June. In addition, Hong Kong topped the monthly country rankings in the same month in terms of absolute increases in outbound chargeable weight flown with an increase of nearly 23,000 tonnes, increasing 17% from the country's June 2023 results. WorldACD said the country is showing ""exceptionally strong growth"" in cross-border ecommerce traffic. Combined outbound tonnages from China and Hong Kong rose by 24% in the first half of the year, compared to the same period in 2023. The strong growth rate follows the countries' combined full year growth in 2023 of 12% compared to the year prior. The report commented: ""However, much of that increase last year occurred in the second half [of 2023] – meaning that year-on-year comparisons in [the second half of] this year may show lower percentage growth numbers than those seen in [the first half of 2024]."" Asia Pacific's 19% growth in outbound tonnages in the first half of the year was a key driver for the global increase of 12%. Additionally, tonnages from Middle East & South Asia (MESA) were up 20%. Africa and Europe saw modest growth at 8% and 7% respectively. Central & South America tonnages increased 5% while North America was the weakest link in tonnage increases at 2%.