October Air Cargo Shipments in Smallest ’06 Gain

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ctober air cargo shipments climbed 0.7% compared with the same month a year ago, the smallest increase of the year, the Air Transport Association said Wednesday.

Domestic shipments edged up 0.4% to 1.06 million revenue ton-miles, while international shipments jumped 1.8% year-over-year to 1.24 RTMs, the trade group said in its monthly report.

The combined increase followed September’s 3.8% rise. International shipments had risen 6.6% and domestic by 0.7%.

Air cargo shipments have risen in every month this year compared with a year ago. A revenue ton-mile is the revenue generated by carrying one ton of freight one mile.

Air cargo shipments always have a trucking component, since air carriers use trucks for local and regional ground transportation.