Air cargo traffic and capacity

This chapter analyses both international and domestic air cargo traffic and focuses on cargo tonne-kms as a traffic measure but also using tonnes carried where appropriate. It suggests that freight and express will be distinguished from mail and trends on passenger and freighter flights. The chapter describes trends in air cargo traffic and economic indicators, exploring correlations at the global level. Anchorage in Alaska is one the world&s;s largest cargo airports but three quarters of its traffic is in transit, a useful refuelling stop on the very long transpacific routes. The largest international airports are all combination carrier hubs, most operating a large fleet of freighters in addition to carrying cargo on their passenger flights. The large difference in the loads carried on passenger and cargo flights is reflected in the lower share of flights that are accounted for by all-cargo operations, each one offering a much larger capacity.