Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal (PACTL) posted a 20.3 per cent year-on- year increase in September air cargo volumes to a record 134,322 tonnes .

In the first three quarters tonnage rose 16.5 per cent year on year to 1,078,811 tonnes, the highest volume in the cargo terminal's history.

Of this, domestic volume came to 68,967 tonnes in the first nine months, up 2.96 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

International cargo volumes were up 17.61 per cent to 1,009,844 tonnes. Imports rose 16.85 per cent to 431,126 tonnes, while exports grew 16.35 per cent to 647,685 tonnes in comparison with the previous year.

"With a monthly growth rate of up to 27 per cent throughout the third quarter, international imports are increasing considerably," said vice president Lutz Grzegorz.

"This is mainly due to a growth in cargo volumes of several American airlines on the one hand and the expansion of Air China Cargo at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on the other hand. Domestic business is not increasing as strongly anymore.

"However, I still see a positive trend for the next months."