Airlines carried 16.5 percent less cargo and 7.2 percent fewer people in June than in the same month a year ago, with no sign yet of the global recession lifting, an industry body said on Jul. 30.

In its latest monthly reading of cross-border traffic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that it could take years for air freight -- a leading indicator for the health of world trade -- to return to 2008 levels.

"These are extremely challenging times for airlines. There are no signs of an early economic recovery," IATA said in a statement. "The outlook looks bleak."