Mubasher: Air cargo volumes carried by the Middle East's airlines increased 6.6% in November, registering the slowest regional year-on-year growth in three months, while capacity grew 3.1%, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) data showed.

IATA ascribed the rise of volumes to the routes to and from North America.

Over the past six months, seasonally-adjusted international freight volumes rose between 8% and 10%, buoyed by the increased sustainability on routes between the Middle East and North America, IATA added.

At a global level, freight demand, which is measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), jumped 8.8% in November from the same period a year earlier, the association's data revealed.

"Air freight demand remains robust. November showed 8.8 percent year-on-year growth, keeping up the momentum that will make 2017 the strongest year for air cargo since 2010. And there are several indicators that 2018 will be a good year as well," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.