IN the weakest year since 2003, US airlines saw cargo volumes grow by 1.1 per cent in 2007, according to figures from the US Air Transport Association.

The sluggish growth included a 0.1 per cent drop in domestic air cargo traffic, with the business increasing by 0.9 per cent in the fourth quarter, including 0.1 per cent in December, based on cargo ton miles, reported US-based Aircargo World.

International airfreight rose by a stronger 2.2 per cent in 2007 over the previous year, including a 5.9 per cent increase in December that represented the fastest growth in international airfreight volumes for US airlines in 15 months, the report said.

It added that Pacific volume rose by 6.5 per cent in December while growing transatlantic traffic showed steady growth throughout the year and was up 5.7 per cent in December.