Asia Pacific airlines report 'vigorous' air freight growth

Release time： 2021-12-08 Browsing：497次

THE Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) saw "vigorous" air freight growth in October due to a "robust" cargo market among Asia Pacific airlines, reports London's Air Cargo News.

"While October continued to be an extremely challenging month for international travel markets, solid orders for consumer goods and industrial components buoyed air cargo demand, especially as retailers sought to increase stock levels ahead of the year-end holiday season and major shopping events," said AAPA director general Subhas Menon.

Preliminary October 2021 traffic figures released by the AAPA saw international air passenger demand remain depressed, with the impact from the recent easing of border restrictions was yet to be seen.

By contrast, said AAPA, air cargo markets were "robust, benefitting from sustained global demand and capacity shortages".

In aggregate, only 1.2 million international passengers travelled on the region's carriers in October, 3.9 per cent of the 31 million passengers recorded in the same month of 2019.

in the same period, Asia Pacific airlines recorded "another month of vigorous growth in international air cargo demand, as reflected in the 22.3 per cent year-on-year increase in freight tonne kilometre (FTK) terms."

AAPA said that offered freight capacity expanded by a "significant 20 per cent year-on-year, albeit at a relatively slower pace than the growth in demand, leading to an elevated average international freight load factor of 74.2 per cent for the month".

"While the gradual reopening of borders by governments is a welcome move, what is sorely needed is the harmonisation of travel policies and health protocols, including measures related to testing, vaccination recognition and digital verification," said Mr Menon."This will reduce complexity and confusion among passengers and carriers, which will in turn help boost confidence in the travel process," he said.