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Asia-Pacific freight markets are spearheading growth in international air cargo volumes,the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed.

In its industry forecast released on Monday, the IATA said airfreight volume growth expected in China and Hong Kong between 2009 and 2014will account for a third of total global volume growth for that period.

Addressing an industry meeting in Singapore Giovanni Bisignani, IATA director general and CEO, said: 'The focus of the industry continues to shift eastward. By 2014...Asia Pacific will account for 28 per cent of global volumes.'

In its forecast, the IATA identified Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei and the Russian Federation as the top five fastest growing international freight markets in 2009-2014.

By 2014, the largest international freight markets will be the US (8.8m tonnes), Hong Kong (5.4m tonnes), Germany (4.4m tonnes), Japan (4.4m tonnes) and China (3.8m tonnes), the IATA said.

Total international air cargo volumes are forecast to reach 38m tonnes by 2014, up 12.5m tonnes from the 26m tonnes carried in 2009, the association said.

'To realise the economic growth potential this will bring, we will need even more efficient air traffic management, airport facilities and security programmes,' said MrBisignani.'Industry and governments will be challenged to work together even more closely.'