2008 was a mixed year for the air cargo industry. Whilst the problems in the automotive market led to a decline in the previously high demand for the small charters supporting the ‘just in time’ production schedules, there was also an increase in larger oil and gas related charters due to the higher prices of fossil fuel. It was ironic that although the carriers were paying more for fuel, greatly increasing charter prices, many were flying more oil related goods as exploration and production increased worldwide.
Other decreases in the industry included exports from the far east. However, once again this drop in demand was filled by a further increase in the shipment of goods related to worldwide development and reconstruction projects including Iraq and Afganistan. 2008 also saw widespread mobilisation of the cargo industry in response to a number of humanitarian crises. Goma, Zimbabwe, Burma, Haiti and Yemen were all witness to a mass deployment of aid delivered by cargo aircraft from all over the world.
The charter market also saw a change in regards to the types of aircraft used. As noise regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, many airlines have begun to replace many of the older aircraft in their fleets with newer quieter versions. Examples of these changes includes the new Stage IV IL-76 aircraft seeing increased usage and many operators parking their old B747 freighters to concentrate on the usage of the newer B747-400F.
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