Cathay Pacific Cargo is tipping a strong start to 2018, at least for the first quarter, with shippers already trying to secure space and lock in rates that are expected to rise.

Regional manager Cargo Europe Ray Jewell said bookings for January had been placed earlier than usual and added: “The feeling is that cargo will continue to be strong well into the first quarter of the year.

 

“Lead times are lengthening ... people are struggling to find capacity.

 

“Shippers are being warned that there will be increases in rates.

 

“We may see agents willing to buy capacity for a longer time at a higher rate because they want to protect their businesses.”

 

The airline’s latest cargo demand - for the first 11 months of the year - increased by 11 per cent year on year to 1.9 billion kilos. 

 

Its cargo load factor for November stood at 71.6 per cent compared with 68.1 per cent last year.