The international air freight industry recorded a high level of growth in January.

A study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed global figures increased by 4.5 per cent at the start of the year, compared to the same period in 2013. This is a significant rise against the 2.2 per cent year-on-year results recorded in December and the 1.4 per cent full-year growth achieved last year, compared to 2012.

Middle Eastern carriers showed the highest level of increase, with figures going up by 10.7 per cent. Meanwhile, European countries posted statistics of six per cent growth and the Asia-Pacific region recorded a rise of 3.8 per cent. This was a marked improvement on the one per cent contraction seen last year.

Tony Tyler, director general and chief executive officer at IATA, stated: "The improvement in demand is good news. It is a step-up in pace from the mild strengthening we saw towards the second half of 2013."

He added real-term cargo volumes have returned to levels witnessed before the 2010 post-recession peak.