The global air freight sector showed signs of recovery in June, with new figures highlighting a 1.2 per cent year-on-year rise in demand.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), this was a marginal improvement on the previous month, although it remains to be seen whether this is the start of a period of long-term growth.

Activity in the air cargo industry has stagnated over the past 18 months and the global economy is still looking less than healthy.

IATA director general and chief executive officer Tony Tyler said: "Air freight volumes are at their highest since mid-2011, but that good news needs to be tempered with a dose of reality."

Previous reports have suggested the demand for air freight is significantly higher in some parts of the world than others.

South America and the Middle East have performed well in recent months and bosses at Dubai Airports confirmed that more cargo planes would be introduced at the city's Al Maktoum International Airport in the next year.