Just on 38 per cent of respondents reported an increase in costs in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the same period a year ago, with many singling out the impact of higher fuel prices. Oil prices are up 50 per cent from their most recent low point in 2017.
The upward trend in oil prices was expected to continue to boost airline costs in the year ahead, IATA said.
Association global airfreight data for 2017 showed that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres, grew by 9.0 per cent, more than double the 3.6 per cent recorded the previous year.
Full-year demand for air freight in 2017 grew at twice the pace of the expansion in world trade, which was 4.3 per cent.
The outperformance was a result of strong global demand for manufacturing exports as companies moved to restock inventories quickly.
"Air cargo had its strongest performance since the rebound from the global financial crisis in 2010. Air cargo is still a very tough and competitive business, but the developments in 2017 were the most positive that we have seen in a very long time," said Alexandre de Juniac, the association's director general and chief executive.
He said the outlook for air freight was positive.
Consumer confidence was buoyant and freight demand was expected to grow by 4.5 per cent. There was growing strength in international e-commerce and the transport of time- and temperature-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals.