October airport volumes show no peak

Airports reported year-over-year declines in airfreight volumes in October, demonstrating a post-pandemic normalization in the airfreight market. An Air Cargo World analysis found that cargo volumes dropped around 12% YoY at selected airports, with Asia-Pacific airports seeing the largest demand, with an average volumetric drop of 15% compared with October 2021. Compared with 2019 levels, most airports fell short of pre-pandemic October volumes as well, indicating airfreight’s holiday peak volumes would not appear this winter. [caption id="attachment_57131784" align="alignright" width="305"] © Can Stock Photo / mathes[/caption] Europe Selected airports in Europe saw month-over-month recovery in October, with a regional average growth of 6%. However, all airports moved less cargo in 2022 than in 2021. Schiphol Amsterdam (AMS) had the greatest YoY decline at 16%, moving 125,358 tonnes in October. AMS reported a drop in all-cargo flights, as well, from 2,019 in October 2021 to 1,585 in October 2022. London Heathrow (LHR) also recorded double-digit decreases in cargo movements with a throughput of 115,084 tonnes, 13.8% less than in 2021 and 17% less than 2019. LHR did see a 5% growth compared with September volumes, its second consecutive MoM increase following a summer of declines. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) reported an 11.7% drop in tonnage throughput, but a 9% MoM increase and 3% growth compared with October 2019 at 176,727 tonnes. An overall economic slowdown and airspace restrictions due to Russia’s war in Ukraine impacted cargo at FRA, according to a Nov. 11 release from Fraport. Brussels Airport (BRU) moved 53,448 tonnes, and Zurich Airport (ZRH) moved 36,054 tonnes, 8.7% and 8%% less cargo YoY, respectively. Compared with 2019, BRU saw 25.9% more cargo in October and ZRH saw 7% less. “In general, cargo volumes are under pressure due to continuing geopolitical tensions, lockdowns in China, the threat of a recession and its impact on e-commerce,” according to a Nov. 14 release from BRU. The airport also noted it had a “particularly good year in 2021” for cargo. North America Airports in North America, similarly, experienced YoY declines apart from Mexico City Airport (MEX) which had a 2.5% YoY climb in volumes. MEX moved 53,850 tonnes in October, 14.4% higher MoM and 3% greater than in October 2019. Express hubs Louisville Muhammad Ali (SDF) and Memphis (MEM) saw volumes decline 1.3% and 11.5% YoY, respectively, but upticks MoM at 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively. UPS’ growth at SDF is evident in the airport’s 139.7% growth compared with 2019 levels, and FedEx’s decline is demonstrated in MEM’s 10.21% drop from 2019 volumes. In Southern California, Los Angeles International (LAX) and Ontario (ONT) moved 195,832 tonnes and 64,449 tonnes, respectively, YoY declines of 13.5% and 5%, respectively, for October volumes. Asia Pacific Airports in the Asia-Pacific region have felt the effects of less manufacturing and COVID-19 lockdowns, with dramatic YoY declines in throughput for 2022. In October, selected airports in the region saw 15% less cargo in 2022 than 2021. Japan’s Kansai International (KIX) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) airports reported YoY declines at 8.5% and 17.2%, respectively. The country reopened for passenger travel in October, and NRT experienced its second consecutive MoM growth at 3%. KIX, on the other hand, saw volumes plummet 35% MoM. Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) had declines in all measurements, with volumes dropping 18% YoY, 30% MoM and 4% compared with 2019 at 237,461 tonnes in October. Hong Kong Airport (HKG) saw the greatest fall in its volumes, moving 24% less YoY at 351,000 tonnes. The airport has seen a rebound compared with September, increasing cargo 4%. As with BRU and FRA, HKG attributed its declines to global economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, according to a Nov. 11 release. Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) reported a throughput of 113,116 tonnes in October, 9% less than in 2021 but 6% greater than the month prior. Changi Singapore (SIN), similarly, saw 16.4% less cargo YoY and 1% less MoM in October at 152,000 tonnes.

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