The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), which represents 23 carriers in the Asia-Pacific region, said that freight demand in April already had jumped 32 per cent from a year earlier.

AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said: "Both business confidence and consumer sentiment are signalling a generally positive outlook for the second half of the year.

"This should give a boost to the travel and tourism industry, which is a significant driver for many economies in the region."

Air cargo demand between January and May was 36 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2009 and the average international load factor was 71.1 per cent, up 11.2 percentage points on last year, AAPA said.