July volumes feel high fuel rates, lockdown and labor struggles

Passenger travel surged this summer, and reported cargo traffic indicates a slow recovery with cargo throughput at selected airports growing an average of 3% month over month in July, an Air Cargo World analysis found. Global challenges like the war in Ukraine , high jet fuel rates and labor strikes continue to dampen cargo markets and overall volumes, but increased capacity and connectivity imply a return to pre-pandemic movement and trade lanes. [caption id="attachment_57131784" align="alignright" width="464"] Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico © Can Stock Photo / mathes[/caption] Asia-Pacific Airport traffic in Asia remains dramatically depressed, with an average of 22% lower cargo volumes year over year across selected airports. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) saw the greatest drop, seeing 33% less cargo YoY at only 107,142 tonnes, compared with 160,477 tonnes the year prior. But the airport continues the slow climb to recovery, with volumes growing 2% month over month. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) moved a total of 348,000 tonnes of cargo in July, a 17% decrease YoY, according to the latest traffic statistics. Imports and exports from Hong Kong (HKG) dropped 19% YoY and imports fell 16% YoY, with the airport seeing significant decreases in flights between North America and Europe. In South Korea, Incheon (ICN) reported total cargo throughput for July at 233,219, a 4% MoM gain — around 1% more than in July 2019. North America Airports in North America saw varied changes in cargo throughput. Some locations saw sharp climbs in cargo operations while others experienced lower volumes than typical. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) in July saw 30% growth YoY, 33% growth MoM and 73% growth compared to 2019, moving a total of 173,757 tonnes of cargo. CVG continues to grow as an express hub for Amazon and DHL . Mexico City (MEX) also increased its cargo movement in July, processing 50,064 tonnes, 5.3% more than in 2021 and 7.5% more than in 2019. Home of the FedEx hub, Memphis International Airport (MEM) saw the greatest drop in the region, moving 12.9% less cargo YoY in July at 325,624 tonnes. MEM’s July volumes were also down 5% MoM and declined 6% compared to 2019. Ontario International Airport (ONT) moved closer to pre-pandemic volumes, moving 64,343 tonnes in July 2019 and 68,167 tonnes in July 2022, a growth of 6%. Europe European cargo hubs London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), Brussels (BRU) and Frankfurt (FRA) moved 11% less cargo in July 2022 than in 2021, spurred by labor shortages , heightened passenger movement and flight cancellations . FRA felt the worst pressures with an 18% YoY decline in cargo traffic in July, with only 160,732 tonnes of throughput. BRU also saw a 13.5% YoY dip in throughput, flying only 52,169 tonnes in July. Limited handling capacities contributed to reduced freighter services, FRA reported, resulting in the least freighter cargo at the airport since March 2020. International cargo throughput into FRA was down from every region, most notably between Eastern Europe, at a decline of 94.3%. [caption id="attachment_57131779" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Source: Fraport Monthly Traffic Results Frankfurt Airport, July 2022[/caption] AMS and LHR saw smaller declines in their cargo movements, at 120,131 and 110,044 tonnes respectively, an 8% and 4.6% change YoY. LHR and AMS implemented passenger capacity caps earlier this summer, which both airports extended until October , further reducing capacity. Zurich Airport (ZUR) had a large jump in its cargo movements compared to 2021, growing 16% YoY to 23,154 tonnes in July, but levels remain 18% lower than the same month in 2019. Join Air Cargo World for our next webinar, “Forward Thinking: Best practices for freight forwarder success,” on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 11 a.m. ET. Click here for more information and to register.

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