The prices for outbound air freight transports from German airports were around 23 per cent higher on average for the year in 2011 than in 2010. This is the result of a current assessment by the Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis, or Federal Statistical Office). This increase is in part attributable to the strong rise in kerosene surcharges. According to Destatis, freight rate rises were in double figures on average for the year on all flight routes. Thus compared with 2010 prices rose particularly strongly for air freight transports to India (plus 28 per cent), China (plus 30 per cent) and to the United Arab Emirates (plus 36 per cent). Transport flights within Europe (plus 15 per cent) and flights to Brazil (plus 13 per cent) had the lowest prices rises.

According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) goods traffic increased significantly by 6.5 per cent in 2011. This is the highest annual increase since 1994. In total 4.3 billion tonnes of goods were transported. Road and rail traffic as well as sea transport and air freight contributed to this growth. In contrast, inland waterways and the transport of crude oil in pipelines posted losses.

The vast majority of goods in Germany continue to be moved on the roads: Road goods traffic has a share of 77.5 per cent of transport volumes – this is equivalent to 3.4 billion tonnes, 7.7 per cent more than in 2010. Goods traffic by rail also rose: at 374 million tonnes traffic volumes were 5.1 per cent above the previous year’s value, thus reaching their highest level since 1993. Freight carriage by air also went up (+ 4.8 per cent). Well over 4 million tonnes of air freight is a record.

In contrast, the quantities carried by inland waterways declined by 4.3 per cent to 220 million tonnes. Goods traffic by sea developed positively in contrast: at 291 million tonnes 6.8 per cent more goods were carried than in 2010. The quantities carried by transporting crude oil in pipelines declined by 2.5 per cent to nearly 87 million tonnes.