Asia Pacific airport cargo volumes continue downward trend

Asia Pacific cargo volume declines at airports remained in the double digits for the fourth consecutive month, highlighting continued regional problems . While summer flight schedules added new destinations and increased cargo capacity, most airports continued to see less cargo throughput in June, with selected airports averaging 7% less cargo throughput year over year for the month, according to an Air Cargo World analysis. [caption id="attachment_57065863" align="alignright" width="436"] Photo / AirAsia[/caption] Flight reductions at European airports due to surging passenger travel and, subsequently, capacity caps, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and limited manufacturing activity remain hurdles in airfreight movement. Asia-Pacific Airports in the Asia-Pacific region saw uncharacteristically low volumes in June — with levels even lower than the same period in 2021 — with selected airports reporting a 13.2% drop in YoY tonnage regionally. Shanghai’s PVG airport only moved 104,562 tonnes in June, a 35% decrease YoY. Shanghai has seen dramatically low numbers since the start of the year due to its COVID-19 lockdown s , seeing its biggest drop of 69% in March . Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) saw 363,000 tonnes of cargo in June, a 9% decrease YoY and 1% dip month over month. The airport attributed the drop in volumes to ongoing global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges in Europe. Cargo traffic to and from North America and Europe saw the most drastic drops in cargo tonnage. HKG ranked No. 1 in preliminary data from the Airports Council International (ACI) for highest cargo tonnage among the world's airports in 2021. Meanwhile in Japan, Kansai International Airport (KIX) saw YoY growth again in June and moved 8% more cargo compared with May 2022 volumes. North America Airfreight volumes at North American airports did not show a defined trend, with some airports showing increases in volumes, while others declines; the regional average dropped slightly by 1% in June. In the Midwest, Indianapolis (IND) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) saw elevated freight volumes in June compared with 2021, growing 1.5% and 9.4%, respectively. IND moved 100,692 tonnes of cargo and CVG moved 131,123 tonnes. However, Los Angeles (LAX) and Atlanta (ATL) both recorded less airfreight in June. LAX saw 216,660 tonnes of cargo, a 3.7% decrease YoY, while Atlanta saw 54,956 tonnes, a 3% YoY decrease. Memphis (MEM) had the greatest change YoY, dropping 8.4% to 343,182 tonnes in June. MEM ranked No. 2 in the world’s airports for cargo tonnage in 2021 , according to preliminary data from Airports Council International (ACI). Europe Europe’s cargo hubs have felt the stress of labor shortages and unusually elevated passenger traffic, reducing overall flight numbers. London Heathrow (LHR) had 2% less cargo throughput in June compared with May, but a 1.3% growth in volumes YoY. LHR canceled thousands of passenger flights in July to help cap surging passenger travel, but airport stakeholders said it should not pose significant effects for cargo operations. Frankfurt (FRA) and Brussels (BRU) experienced 11% less throughput in June YoY, moving 167,771 tonnes and 52,216 tonnes, respectively. FRA attributed the decrease to airspace restrictions in Russia and Ukraine and COVID-19-related restrictions in China, according to a release from Fraport. Amsterdam (AMS), which has struggled with flight capacities this summer , saw a 15% YoY decrease in cargo throughput in June and a 3% decrease MoM.

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