After rebounding more than 19% in 2010 over the
depressed levels of 2009, world air cargo traffi c stagnated
from mid-2011 to early 2013. This prolonged period of
weak growth can be attributed to two factors: a weak
world economy and slack trade growth. Since the onset
of the global economic crisis in 2008, world air cargo
traffi c has averaged only 1.7% growth per year through
2013. On a positive note, world air cargo traffi c began to
grow again in second quarter 2013. By July 2014, traffi c
had grown 4.4% compared with the fi rst seven months
of 2013. Forecasts for even better economic and trade
growth should lead to sustained air cargo traffi c growth
in 2015 and 2016.