Global Air Freight Forecast to Return to Strong Growth, Says OAG

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WASHINGTON, May 22 /PRNewswire/ —

- Annual growth rate of 5.6% by 2011

- 10-year forecast for international air freight predicts 6.1% average

growth

- Security and green issues will pull regional air freight trade below 4%

- Middle East and Africa the fastest growing regions, pushing China to

third place

- Freighter fleet to grow by 3% per year over next decade

OAG Analytical Services, part of Official Airline Guide, has released its
third annual OAG Global Air Freight Forecast which projects trends in air
freight demand and fleet for 2008-2017. The full report goes on sale today,
available at www.oag.com/go/globalairfreightforecast. “Amid soaring fuel
prices and economic uncertainty, the projections for the next decade reveal
some light at the end of the tunnel,” says Tulinda Larsen, managing director
OAG Analytical Services.

The global air freight industry is wrestling with the same issues as the
rest of aviation: a teetering global economy, increasing security
regulations, skyrocketing fuel costs, changing currency exchange rates and
environmental initiatives. The only good news, it seems, has been the
liberalized air rights between China and European Union countries with the
United States.

The 2008 OAG Global Air Freight Forecast reflects these underlying
trends, with a return to an average annual growth rate of 5.6 percent by 2011
after a slowdown in the near term. Over the long term, OAG sees these
underlying trends creating a growing demand for freighter aircraft.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080522/NYTH086-a )

The international air freight market is expected to continue to flourish,
with average annual growth of 6.1 percent during the 10-year forecast period
from 2008 to 2017.

Security and green issues are expected to pull down demand for regional
air freight trade to 3.9 percent average annual growth.

The Middle East has emerged as the fastest growing region, pushing China
to number three behind Africa in terms of growth rates. These emerging
markets are posting impressive growth rates, but on a very small overall base
level of air freight traffic. The trade lane between North America and China
remains the largest global market for air freight.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080522/NYTH086-b )

Tulinda Larsen concluded, “Trade connecting to North America continues to
dominate global air freight and other markets are feeling the impact of the
U.S. economic woes. The rising cost of operations will force the industry to
make tough decisions that will impact air freight capacity on a global
level.”
The OAG Global Air Freight Forecast 2008-2017 is available to buy for
USD$1,200 from www.oag.com/go/globalairfreightforecast. The report includes
analysis of underlying trends; forecast of air freight traffic by trade lane;
freighter forecast by aircraft type including details on conversion programs;
and supporting reference data spreadsheets.

About OAG Analytical Services

OAG Analytical Services’ consulting team specializes in providing
value-added analysis anchored in the OAG schedules, fleet and related
databases. Services include business planning; air service development;
economic, market analysis and forecasting; industry issue analysis; air
cargo; maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO); and expert witness. Clients
rely on OAG Analytical Services’ resources and skills to supplement internal
staff, validate internal studies and provide independent opinions to meet
government and regulatory requirements.

About OAG (Official Airline Guide)

OAG (www.oagcorporate.com) is a global flight information and data
solutions company for the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics and
business travel markets. It brings together buyers and sellers of air travel
and transport through the management and distribution of airline product
information; the supply of corporate travel planning tools; and the promotion
of travel and transport products.

It is the global leader in aviation information and intelligence. The
business is underpinned by its data management expertise. It is best known
for its airline schedules database which feeds the world’s global
distribution systems and travel portals and drives the internal systems of
many airlines, air traffic control systems, aircraft manufacturers, airport
planners and government agencies.

OAG is part of Commonwealth Business Media (www.cbizmedia.com) a wholly
owned subsidiary of United Business Media plc (www.unitedbusinessmedia.com).

Web site: http://www.oagcorporate.com
http://www.oag.com/go/globalairfreightforecast
http://www.cbizmedia.com
http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com

OAG Analytical Services