AIRLINES based in Africa achieved the fastest growth out of all regions worldwide in August, with demand up eight per cent year on year, data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows. Africa has been the strongest performer of all regions for the sixth straight month. This continues the upward trend in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) that has been prevalent since mid-2018, reported London's African Review. Capacity expanded by 17.1 per cent year on year on the back of strong trade and investment linkages with Asia underscoring a double-digit rise in air freight volumes between the two continents over the past year. China also plans to invest a further US$60 billion in Africa. Carriers based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific in comparison suffered a 3.9 per cent decline in air freight volumes that was blamed on the continuing US-China trade war. "The impact of the US-China trade war on air freight volumes was the clearest yet in August. Year-on-year demand fell by 3.9 per cent. Not since the global financial crisis in 2008 has demand fallen for 10 consecutive months. This is deeply concerning," said IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac.