Capacity & Demand

Peak season air freight rates, how high will they go?

Air freight rates on major east-west routes fluctuate month-to-month, and for the year 2017 reached their highest levels yet in October. After a pronounced slide following the end of 2016’s peak, rates were relatively stable until September, when prices began picking up ahead of peak season. Although aggregate data is not yet available for November, […]

Has the current traffic growth cycle peaked?

Last month we predicted that when worldwide data were available for October, we would see a year-over-year increase in air freight demand within mid-single digits. Both WorldACD and IATA have published their October analyses and, as you can see in the charts at right, demand growth was in line with our expectations, with IATA reporting […]

Just how many freighters will China need in 2036?

Charles Kauffman
November 27, 2017
Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Express, News

Looking ahead, China is expected to be one of the most promising markets for freighter aircraft, as the country’s rapidly-growing middle class continues to drive demand for high-value commodities which move by air. In parallel, the government’s outwardly-focused ‘Belt and Road’ initiative encourage domestic carriers to establish new routes, which in turn translates into demand […]

Tianjin Cargo Airlines prepares to fly, as HNA looks to the future

David Harris
November 22, 2017
Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, E-Commerce, Express, Strategy

China-based all-cargo startup Tianjin Cargo Airlines received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and will likely start service in early 2018. The carrier is a joint venture among three consortia (Tianjin Aviation Logistics Development Co., Ltd., Sky Holdings Co., Ltd., and Yang Hang Investment) that are controlled by heavy-hitting players in the industry, […]

Korean Air Cargo reports traffic, yields up significantly in Q317

Incheon-headquartered Korean Air Cargo reported Q317 cargo yields (in US$) up 12.3% y-o-y, on traffic that was 7.5% higher. Capacity rose 4.3% during the same period, pushing load factors up 2.4 points, to 78%. Overall tonnage rose 10%, driven primarily by higher international traffic. Outbound tonnage ex-Korea was up 10%. With increasing cargo revenues, the […]

A first look at October: Strong demand, but slower growth

Updated 16 November to include results from Cathay Pacific, Air China, and Singapore Airlines. Demand for air freight is still extremely strong. Soaring yields and the backlogs building in Asian hubs offer ample testimony to that. We are clearly in the middle of a great peak season, and anyone who didn’t book space long ago […]

HACTL in the midst of record peak, even as growth rates are slow

Despite slowing year-over-year growth rates in monthly annual comparisons, demand for air freight is still extremely strong. Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) reported it had broken three records during the first week of November, indicating the industry’s position in the middle of a great peak season. For the first time ever, on 5 […]

9 Things we learned during our trip to China – Part I

Charles Kauffman
November 13, 2017
Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, E-Commerce, News, Video

The Cargo Facts team has spent the past few weeks traveling up-and-down China, one of the most exciting and dynamic markets for both domestic and international air cargo. While you can expect more comprehensive and expanded stories in the upcoming issue of Cargo Facts, we thought we would take this opportunity to share 9 things […]

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