Airfreight pricing for imports into the U.S. from Europe jumped 5.8 percent in October, belying trends in the economy and currency exchange rates, according to a monthly survey of international transport pricing.

The monthly survey by Banc of America Securities showed the investment group's monthly index of airfreight pricing turn sharply upward for U.S. trans-Atlantic imports after several months of slowing rate increases.

U.S. export pricing grew only 1 percent on trans-Atlantic lanes over the previous October, according to the BAS report. Airfreight pricing for goods coming into the U.S. from Europe has remained fairly strong this year despite a weakening U.S. dollar that has made European goods more expensive in the United States.

Trans-Pacific airfreight pricing, which has been slipping through most of 2007, remained relatively flat in the October reading, BAS said.

The readings on rates do not take into account fuel surcharges, however, and with jet fuel prices soaring to record levels the final bill to shippers may far exceed the base rate charges.

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