September volumes are far from peak

Regional challenges continue to affect airfreight volumes at airports globally as European hubs experience congestion and reduced volumetric growth while Asian-Pacific and North American airports are benefiting from capacity increases and lifted travel restrictions. Cargo throughput has declined an average of 4% year over year, according to an Air Cargo World analysis of airport traffic data. Europe and Asia-Pacific saw the greatest YoY drops at 8.9% and 8.6%, respectively. Entering Q4, many airports are seeing month-over-month volume recovery, with growth particularly in Europe, but continued YoY declines suggest the extreme peak of 2021 will not be replicated this winter. [caption id="attachment_94979" align="alignright" width="327"] Photo/Los Angeles World Airports[/caption] North America Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) saw the largest growth of all the selected airports, with a 44% YoY increase in volumes in September and 102% increase from 2019. The hub continues to feel the impact of Amazon’s e-commerce volumes and is the only North American airport to have MoM increases in September, when it moved 8% more freight. Similarly, Louisville Muhammad Ali (SDF) moved 255,223 tonnes in September and saw volumes that month rise 2% YoY and 17% from 2019. Meanwhile, FedEx hub Memphis (MEM) moved the highest volume of cargo at 337,471 tonnes of throughput in September, a dip of 11% YoY and 1% MoM. Los Angeles (LAX) also saw throughput declines in September as it processed 11.7% less YoY and 3.7% less MoM. Fellow Southern California airport Ontario (ONT) moved 65,831 tonnes in September, a decrease of 1% YoY and 2.1% MoM. Further south, Mexico City Airport (MEX) experienced 2% growth YoY and compared with pre-pandemic levels, with a total throughput of 47,061 tonnes. Europe Selected European airports experienced an average of 8.6% YoY drop in volumes, according to airport traffic reports. However, all saw increases in throughput, with a regional average rise of 6%. European airports continue to feel the effects of Russian airspace closure , with intra-Europe cargo declining dramatically YoY and Asia-Pacific markets exporting fewer volumes. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) saw the largest YoY drop at 14%, moving only 161,576 tonnes of cargo, a decrease the airport attributes to airspace restrictions in Russia due to the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 restrictions in China , according to an Oct. 14 release from Fraport. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) moved 121,508 tonnes of cargo in September, a decline of 8.8% YoY and 11% from 2019. However, volumes were up 4% MoM. The YoY decrease is connected to the airport’s passenger cap and labor issues . Brussels Airport (BRU) saw volumes dip 5.3% YoY as it moved 52,949 tonnes in September, reflecting a 13% drop in integrator cargo flown during the month. Full freighter cargo was 129% higher at BRU compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to the airport’s data. “Cargo volumes are under pressure due to the current geopolitical situation [the war in Ukraine] and the disrupted energy market, the lockdowns in China, and the impending recession and its impact on e-commerce,” according to the airport’s Oct. 14 release. Volumes at London Heathrow (LHR) declined 5% YoY but grew 6% MoM. A YoY decline in demand was demonstrated across several markets at LHR, with the airport seeing 75% less cargo from U.K. markets, 22% less from EU markets, 41% less from non-EU European markets and 29% less cargo from Asia-Pacific. Asia-Pacific The Asia-Pacific airports Air Cargo World analyzed saw an average decline in throughput YoY but improvement MoM, with the exclusion of Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). PVG saw growth of 12% YoY and 6% MoM, tied partly to the airport’s lower number of flights in September 2021 due to Typhoon Chanthu . Hong Kong Airport (HKG), conversely, saw volumes plummet 25% YoY, with only 341,000 tonnes of throughput. Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) also saw a dramatic drop in volumes, 20% less YoY at 226,589 tonnes of cargo. Japan’s Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Kansai International (KIX) saw 2% and 5% MoM recovery, respectively, as passenger flights resume to the country. NRT saw 12.8% less cargo YoY and KIX saw 3% less, as well. Join Air Cargo World for our next webinar, “Dangerous goods in focus: Shoring up air cargo logistics,” on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. ET. Click here for more information and to register.

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