June cargo traffic reveals mixed recovery for major Asian freighter operators

June 2021 traffic data from major Asian combination carriers shows growth over June 2019, indicating recovery from the industry-wide ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Month-over-month traffic data also tends to show growth, with some exceptions. China Southern Airlines reported June 2021 cargo traffic up 13.5% over the same month in 2019 to 710 million freight tonne kilometers (FTKs). Month to month, traffic rose 6% from May 2021. [caption id="attachment_415422" align="alignright" width="560"] China Southern saw its cargo traffic increase by 6% compared to May 2021. (Photo/China Southern Airlines)[/caption] Taiwan-based EVA Air’s June 2021 data showed growth over 2019, but contractions over May 2021. June cargo traffic of 396 million FTKs was up 85.0% compared to June 2019 but was slightly lower compared to the preceding three months. EVA’s cargo traffic was above 400 million FTKs for the months of March, April and May. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific reported cargo traffic had declined 28.7% in June 2021 compared to 2019, the greatest contraction of any major Asian combination carrier. Capacity was also down in June 2021 over June 2019, by 44.4%, a reflection of the lower number of international passenger flights operated by Cathay Pacific. “Regarding cargo, we are cautiously optimistic that overall demand will be strong for the remainder of the year,” said Ronald Lam, Cathay’s chief customer and commercial officer, in a traffic release. Cathay plans to gradually reinstate passenger services in the coming months, adding bellyhold capacity to make the most of peak cargo season this winter, according to Lam. To augment freighter capacity, Cathay is also in the process of reconfiguring two 777-300ERs by removing the seats to make room for cargo on the passenger deck. At the end of the process, Cathay will have six such passenger freighters in its fleet. Also reeling from condensed passenger flight networks, Singapore Airlines reported June traffic that was 15% lower compared to June 2019, at 457 million FTKs. Load factors remained high at 87.6 points, reflecting the tight capacity situation. Air China’s June result illustrates the mixed recovery picture well, with a reported 14.6% decrease in FTKs between June 2019 and June 2021 at 340 million FTKs. Month to month, traffic fell 9.6% from May, driven by weaker international cargo traffic. Many carriers in Europe and the Americas have ceased reporting cargo data; however, a few still routinely publish up-to-date traffic information. Turkish Airlines, for instance, reported a 30% increase in tonnage transported in June 2021, over the same period in 2019. Chile-headquartered LATAM reported cargo traffic down 21.5% from June 2019 to 218 million FTKs. In a similar story, the result is partially a reflection of lower bellyhold capacity. Capacity remained 31.2% lower compared to June 2019. Cargo load factors, meanwhile, were up 7.7 percentage points to 62.8%. Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE October 25-27 at the Wynn Las Vegas, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactssymposium.com .

June cargo traffic reveals mixed recovery for major Asian freighter operators

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June cargo traffic reveals mixed recovery for major Asian freighter operators

GA Telesis to convert more 737-800s as second delivery nears

DHL looks to continue growing A330P2F fleet

DHL looks to continue growing A330P2F fleet

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June cargo traffic reveals mixed recovery for major Asian freighter operators