A collapse in trans-Pacific trade pushed cargo traffic for US airlines down 17 per cent in December representing the worst year for US air cargo carriers since 2001. Overall traffic for the airlines declined 3.2 per cent in 2008, according to the Air Transport Association (ATA), including a 5.5 per cent drop in domestic business and a 1.2 per cent in internationally. The drop last year reached its height in December with a 29.5 per cent decline in December cargo volumes, year-on-year. Despite a relatively strong start to the year, trans-Pacific cargo traffic ended up down 4 per cent in 2008 compared to the year before, including a 21 per cent drop in the fourth quarter.