WORLD AIR CARGO TRAFFIC ROSE 5.8% IN 2000

WORLD AIR CARGO TRAFFIC ROSE 5.8% IN 2000

   World air cargo traffic increased 5.8 percent last year, to 64 million metric tons, according to preliminary yearly statistics published by Geneva-based Airports Council International.

   North American cargo traffic rose 2.3 percent last year to 29.2 million tons. Traffic for Asia Pacific airports soared 11 percent, to 17.2 million tons. European airports’ cargo traffic rose 7.9 percent to 12.8 million tons.

   Mideast airports handled 2.5 million tons, up 2.9 percent. Airports in Latin America and the Caribbean saw an increase in cargo volumes of 6.2 percent, to 1.7 million tons. African airports moved about 600,000 tons, a rise of 3.2 percent.

   “Preliminary 2000 world data show sustained passenger and cargo growth,” Airports Council International said, describing the 11-percent yearly rise in airport cargo traffic in the Asia/Pacific region as “impressive.”

   It added that 2000 saw passenger and cargo traffic growing in all regions. “However, there was a marked slowdown in aircraft movements, notably in North America,” the airports body said. The number of North American aircraft movements decreased 2 percent last year.

   Memphis continued to be the world’s busiest cargo airport, handling more than 2.5 million metric tons. Hong Kong was second with 2.3 million metric tons, and Los Angeles was third with 2.1 million metric tons.