US air cargo carriers will achieve a 3.5 per cent a year demand rises over the next 20 years, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The administration made the forecast in its annual market review and forecast for 2016-2036 – in which it also says US freight carriers will improve their share of the market.

The FAA says air cargo demand at US airlines increased by 2.2 per cent in 2015 compared to the previous 12 months to 35.9 billion revenue tonne miles (RTM).

This included a 3.3 per cent rise in domestic to 13.1 billion RTM and a 1.6 per cent surge in international to 22.9 billion RTM.

In 2016, the FAA forecasts demand to grow by 4.5 per cent – which it explains will be fuelled by solid US and world economic growth.

Between 2016 and 2036 domestic cargo RTM the FAA estimates will increase at an average yearly rate of 0.4 per cent.

The FAA says international growth will rise 2016 to six per cent due to the expected surge in global trade growth and over the next two decades, international cargo will increase an average of 4.7 per cent a year based on expected development in world gross domestic product (GDP).