Demand snapshot: September traffic holds steady as yields swell

Fewer carriers are reporting monthly traffic figures on a regular basis this year following monumental dislocations in capacity. Carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region are among the exceptions, and continue to report with a degree of regularity. While the reduced availability of scheduled lowerhold capacity makes an nual comparisons irrelevant for most carriers, many of the region’s carriers continued to report traffic in September 2020 that was on par, or surpassing volumes for the same period in 2020 . Carriers with a historically robust cargo operation continue to fare well. Taiwan-headquartered China Airlines reported traffic up 29% year on year in September, to 580 million FTKs. Revenue swelled 104% compared to September 2019, at 7.3 million TWD. Once again, better utilization of an eighteen-unit 747-400F fleet offset lower demand for the carrier’s passenger unit. Passenger revenue was down by 92%. The story is much the same for EVA Air , also headquartered in Taiwan. Cargo revenue was up 97% YoY on traffic that was 17% higher at 301 million FTKs. With just five 777Fs in service, EVA has a significantly smaller freighter fleet compared to China Airlines , but recently ordered three more . Month-to-month, both Taiwan-based carriers saw yields grow. EVA up 5% from August, at 12.2 TWD/FTK , and China Airlines up 3% to 12.56 TWD/FTK . Other carriers reported mixed traffic results, a reflection of the severity to which weaknesses in passenger travel could be offset with freighter or all-cargo flights. Cathay Pacific reported September cargo traffic down 30.4% to 668 million FTKs. Viewed in the light of flight volumes operated by the carrier being down 80.3%, the figure for cargo demand surfaces as a bright spot. Of the flights operated, most were freight-focused — passenger volume was down 98.2% year on year, compared to September 2019. Month to month, cargo tonnage increased 7% to 110,000 tonnes . In September Cathay removed seats on a 777-300ER and began carrying mail in the passenger cabin for the Hongkong Post, according to a traffic release from the carrier. “ This aircraft was also deployed to run a new, temporary service to Pittsburgh serving the seasonal upsurge in demand , ” said Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Ronald Lam. The airline now operates four reconfigured 777-300ERs. Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines reported September traffic that was 1% lower compared to September 2019 at 672 million FTKs. Domestic traffic remained lower YoY, down 13% to 148 million FTKs. International traffic grew 3% YoY to 522 million FTKs in September. China Southern’s domestic passenger network has rebounded, with available seat capacity up 7% compared to 2019. International flights, however, remained 90% lower. Beijing-headquartered Air China reported cargo traffic down 11% to 352 million FTKs in September, on international traffic that was down 17.2% to 207 million FTKs. Air China’s freighter fleet is smaller than China Southern’s , and the carrier is operating fewer international passenger flights — international ASKs remain 94% lower compared to September 2019, according to the carrier. LATAM reported cargo traffic that was 15.3% lower YoY in September 2020. Capacity was much lower, however, leading to a 16.9 - percentage - point increase in load factors. United Airlines reported cargo revenue up 50% YoY in 3Q20 to $422 million , on cargo traffic that was 15% lower, at 685,000 cargo ton miles. Delta Air Lines did not report traffic, but reported cargo revenue down 25% YoY in 3Q20, to $142 million. While Cargo Facts Symposium 2020 will be presented as a virtual event, the unparalleled networking and continuing education opportunities remain, with the best and brightest minds addressing the most pressing industry issues for air cargo — including those around COVID-19. To register and for more information, visit www.cargofactssymposium.com .

Demand snapshot: September traffic holds steady as yields swell

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