The story for January was freight which is starting to show a definite strengthening trend following the disappointing 3.2% growth of 2005. This is the first time in a year we have seen two consecutive months of freight traffic growth above 5% which points to a resurgent world economy.
Freight and passenger traffic are forecast to grow in the 5 to 6 per cent range during the year but the industry is projected to record another loss of over US$4 billion for 2006.
Airlines will spend $34 billion more for fuel this year than last, and about $1.4 billion of that will make its way to the bottom line. That will drive losses to $7.4 billion for 2005.
As the record aircraft orders of last year are delivered, matching capacity to demand will become even more critical. And Avian Flu is the wild card for 2006.
This is the first time in a year we have seen two consecutive months of freight traffic growth above 5% which points to a resurgent world economy.