Asian, European airport cargo volumes drop in March

Airports in Asia and Europe have released preliminary information on March cargo volumes, showing steep declines due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as it has made its way around the globe. European airports reported declines in the double digits, while Asian airports saw declines ranging from single to double digits. Airports in the Americas have yet to announce figures, which will likely reflect similar hits to volumes when released over the coming weeks. March airport traffic on a regional basis is detailed here: Asia-Pacific Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) reported its March cargo throughput fell 22.1% year over year to around 128,307 tonnes. Both imports and exports saw declines at CAN for the month. For the first quarter of 2020, CAN’s cargo handle decreased 17.3% YoY to 353,892 million tonnes. Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) reported its total cargo handle at about 237,106 tonnes for March, down 4.6% from its March 2019 reported volumes. Year-to-date traffic is up 2.5% compared to the first three months of 2018, at 664,8889 tonnes. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) reported a March cargo handle of about 296,000 tonnes, a 5.8% decrease compared to the year prior. Year-to-date, PVG’s cargo throughput fell 7.6% through the first three months of the year, to about 743,900 tonnes. Europe Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) saw a 16.8% decline in cargo volume for the month, dropping to 120,481 tonnes of cargo. Both inbound and outbound dropped by 15.1% and 18.5%, respectively. All regions saw double digit declines in inbound and outbound volumes, except cargo moving to and from the Middle East, which saw increases of 17.5% and 1.4% of inbound and outbound cargo, respectively. The exception was to, from and within Europe. Year-to-date, cargo volumes have declined by 8.7% compared to the same period in 2019, bringing total volumes at the airport to just under 350,000 tonnes of cargo. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) saw a 17.4% decrease in March cargo traffic to about 167,279 tonnes. Airfreight and airmail volumes were down 16.5% and 39.5% YoY, respectively. For the first three months of 2020, cargo volumes have declined by 11.8% YoY at the airport to more than 450,000 tonnes. London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) saw a 32.5% YoY decline in March cargo volumes to 100,857 tonnes. Year-to-date, LHR’s handle declined 18.5% to 332,610 tonnes, compared to the same period in 2018. Vienna Airport’s (VIE) cargo handle decreased 12.7% YoY in March, to 22,003 tonnes. For January through March, VIE’s air cargo handle declined 5.2% to 63,184 tonnes, compared to the same period the year prior.

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